Effects of Radiation.

Low dose radiation treatment, when given, causes no side effects or the side effects, if any, are minimal. Radiation doses given to treat cancer, also kill normal cells, as result of which side effects manifest.

Side Effects of Radiation may be divided into

1)      General side effects of cancer radiation.

2)      Local side effects of cancer radiation.

3)      Very late side effects of cancer radiation.

Side Effects from Radiation.

1) General Side Effects of Radiation Therapy.

• Fatigue,
• Weakness,
• Loss of Appetite.

2) Localized Side Effects from Radiation.

This refers to effects of radiation on the tissues and organs which neighbor the site of cancer that has been radiated, and have felt the effects of cancer radiation.

• Skin rash and/or reddish pigmentation  which disappears after stopping the treatment. However, there is permanent loss of elasticity of the affected part of the skin.
• Loss of hair where radiation has been targeted. For example, radiation to the  pelvis will affect the pubic hair. The hair, however grows back after the treatment has been stopped.
• Inflammation and edema of the tissues surrounding the part that has been radiated. This can cause serious problems in certain cases, For example, in case of bronchial tumor which is occluding the lumen of the bronchus (lung airway),  any edema and swelling will occlude the bronchial lumen further causing breathing problems.
• Radiation to the sex organs can cause infertility.

3)  Late Side Effects of Radiation Therapy.

Some cancer radiation side effects may come months or years after the cancer radiation has been stopped.

• Diarrhea due to radiation to colon.
• Radiated tissue may become fibrous.
• Radiation to head and neck can cause dryness of mouth.
• Radiation to lung and breast can increase patient’s risk to heart disease.
• Radiation to pelvic region can cause cystitis (inflammation of the urinary bladder).
• Radiation to head and neck can cause loss of cognitive function.

Chart showing radiation side effects. (Click to enlarge).

Whatever be the side effects of radiotherapy, the life saving benefits of cancer radiation far outweigh the side effects of radiation. Cancer research is showing encouraging improvements in radiation therapy and it is being positively hoped that radiation treatment side effects will not be so fearful for the cancer patient, as it today.

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