Side effects of Radiation Therapy

It’s a cancer type that utilizes high doses of radiation to destroy cancer cells and shrink tumors. At low doses, radiation is used in x-rays to look inside the body. 

It’s a local treatment affecting that area of the body where the tumor is located and slows down the growth of cancer cells. This damage causes side effects. 

At high doses, radiation therapy kills cancer cells and slows their growth by damaging their DNA. Cancer cells whose DNA is damaged stop dividing or dying and when damaged cells die, they are broken down and eliminated by the body.

Radiation therapy doesn’t kill cancer cells immediately and takes days or weeks of treatment before the DNA is damaged for cancer cells to perish. Then, cancer cells keep dying for weeks and months after radiation therapy ends.

General side effects of radiation therapy:

Fatigue is the common side effect of radiation therapy and happens within a few weeks of therapy. During radiation, the body utilizes energy to heal itself and fatigue is prevalent when large areas of the body are treated. Apart from this radiation therapy in the bone marrow area such as pelvis causes anemia which in turn causes fatigue. And eating and sleeping problems worsen the condition.

Apart from fatigue, the other issue is skin problems which are common with external radiation therapy, as it travels through the skin to the targeted area for treatment. 

The skin turns red, dry, and itchy and changes color. Maximum reactions take place in the first 2 weeks of therapy and fade away a few weeks post-treatment. However, certain skin changes are permanent. 

Another side effect is hair loss or thinning, the extent of which is determined by the duration and permanent hair loss occurring in case of a higher dosage. When hair regrows in 3 to 6 months post-therapy, the color is different plus thin or patchy.

Now let’s understand the side effects based on specific body parts:-

Side effects of Head and neck cancer:

• Dry mouth and sore gums
• Swallowing difficulties and jaw stiffness
• Nausea and hair loss
• Tooth decay
• Hair loss

Side effects of Stomach and abdomen radiation:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea

Side effects of Brain radiation therapy:

• Fatigue
• Hair loss
• Nausea and vomiting
• Headache and blurry vision

Side effects of breast radiation:

• Fatigue
• Hair loss and skin changes
• Swelling and tenderness

Healthy cells that get damaged during treatment recover in a few months post-treatment. While other side effects show up months or years after radiation therapy is completed, this is called late effects. The late effects depend on the part of the body that was treated, genetics and factors like smoking, etc.

Lifetime dose limits

Any radiation therapy has a certain limit that can be administered in a lifetime. Depending on the amount of radiation an area is treated with, you can’t have therapy a second time. However, if one area of the body has got a safe lifetime dosage, then another area can be treated if the distance between the two is large enough

Cost of radiation therapy

It’s expensive and complex machines are involved, plus several health care providers. However, the exact cost depends on the cost of healthcare, where one lives, the type of radiation therapy you get, etc.

Dietary guidelines

The side effects make it difficult to eat, nausea, mouth sores and throat problems. A lot of energy is used in radiation therapy; hence it’s important to consume adequate calories and protein to maintain one’s weight.