This uses up a lot of resources and it can be exhausting. Radiation Side Effect #2: Fatigue Being ill or injured in some way is often very draining on the body. Nuclear radiation side effects from 4 and 8 Gy can often prove to be fatal but this factor is dependent on exposure levels. 00:00. The side effects of radiation therapy often relate to the type of cancer and the part of the body treated, so it can be useful to read about the type of cancer you have.Or you can call 13 11 20 to learn more.. Fatigue is feeling exhausted and worn out. Radiation therapy like any other treatment has its side effects too and before getting radiation it is important for the person to speak to the doctor on the possible side effects … Complementary & Alternative Medicine (CAM), Coping with Your Feelings During Advanced Cancer, Emotional Support for Young People with Cancer, Young People Facing End-of-Life Care Decisions, Late Effects of Childhood Cancer Treatment, Tech Transfer & Small Business Partnerships, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Milestones in Cancer Research and Discovery, Step 1: Application Development & Submission, How to Work With Your Health Insurance Plan, Questions to Ask about Treatment Clinical Trials, Drugs Approved for Different Types of Cancer, Drugs Approved for Conditions Related to Cancer, Throat changes, such as trouble swallowing, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. You may experience no side effects, or you may experience several. Share. Some of them show up quickly, but many wait years to show up. Many people who get radiation therapy have fatigue. Different types of implants may be called Sign in to receive recommendations . These side effects vary from person to person. These side effects depend on which part of the body received radiation therapy and other factors. There are two kinds of radiation side effects: early and late. This side effect showed up one day about 5 years after radiation was over. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances. Damage to healthy cells can cause side effects. Radiation to the brain can also have side effects that show up later – usually from 6 months to many years after treatment ends. But they usually begin to improve after around 2 weeks or so. Select one or more newsletters to continue. They gradually get worse during the treatment and for a couple of weeks after the treatment ends. Late side effects of radiation therapy may be permanent. Radiation is a standard part of treatment for a large group of cancer types. Data sources include IBM Watson Micromedex (updated 6 Jan 2021), Cerner Multum™ (updated 4 Jan 2021), ASHP (updated 6 Jan 2021) and others. Patients start to have side effects a few weeks into their treatment. It’s rare with modern treatment and almost always goes away with time. Side effects of radiotherapy. This can lead to side effects. Long-Term Side Effects of Radiation Therapy for Prostate Cancer. Side effects tend to start a week after the radiotherapy begins. You may not have all of the effects mentioned. Oral Side Effects of Radiation Therapy. A poor diet or illnesses can have an effect on your hair, while various treatments can also make an impact. Doctors will often use external radiation therapy for prostate cancer patients who want to avoid the risks of surgery. Physicians did not recognize side effects from radiation therapy in more than half of breast cancer patients who reported a significant symptom, a new study finds. You have trouble swallowing, feel like you are choking, or cough when you are eating or drinking. External Beam Radiation Therapy … The side effects of radiation therapy often relate to the type of cancer and the part of the body treated, so it can be useful to read about the type of cancer you have. Shrinking of breast tissue . Radiation therapy after lumpectomy can cause a number of side effects, including: skin changes in the treated area, such as redness, burning, pain, peeling, itching, or darkening of the skin swelling in the breast fatigue Side effects of radiation therapy to the head and neck may include: skin problems; hair loss; sore mouth; dry mouth; taste changes January 9, 2019 2 Mins Read. The area of your skin where you received treatment blisters, peels, becomes more painful, or drains fluid. Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Email. 00:00. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Whether you might have late effects, and what they might be, depends on the part of your body that was treated, other cancer treatments you've had, genetics, and other factors, such as smoking.Ask your doctor or nurse which late effects you should watch for. External beam radiation for prostate cancer is one of the standard treatment options to treat prostate cancer… You have a headache, dizziness, or blurred vision. Please see the section below this one for long-term side effects. See the section on Late Effects to learn more. Fatigue is feeling exhausted and worn out. You feel extremely sad or have thoughts of suicide. Want to use this content on your website or other digital platform? Do not eat foods that increase side effects. Other side effects may show up months or years after radiation therapy is over. Radiation therapy is the kind of treatment that uses high energy rays to kill cancer cells. These delayed effects can include serious problems such as memory loss, stroke-like symptoms, and poor brain function. However, these radiotherapy side effects are less common and occur only when the radiation damages your body. Side Effects of Radiotherapy. While side effects may be unpleasant, there are treatments to help deal with them. Radiation not only kills or slows the growth of cancer cells, it can also affect nearby healthy cells. Reshma Jagsi, M.D. Late side effects can happen months to years after you receive radiation therapy. This article would give you some information on the short-term and long-term side effects. Side effects tend to start a week after the radiotherapy begins. Treatment for trigeminal neuralgia can lead to tingling or numbness of the face. You see blood in your urine or bowel movements. The side effects of external beam radiation therapy tend to be less severe than the side effects of other prostate cancer treatments. Our syndication services page shows you how. If someone undergoes radiation therapy, they are likely to find that they begin to lose hair. You will be seen by your radiation oncology providers often … Sometimes late side effects develop months or years after radiation therapy. Your healthcare provider will ask you about your symptoms and decide if they are side effects of radiation therapy. Side effects tend to be most pronounced toward the end of your radiation treatment. Part of body being treated Common side effects; Source: National … Radiation can be an effective treatment for breast cancer, but it does have side effects. Unfortunately, this damage isn't isolated to cancer cells alone, and normal cells can be damaged as well. Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. People feel fatigue in different ways and you may feel more or less fatigue than someone else who is getting the same amount of radiation therapy to the same part of the body. Since radiation therapy is focused on one area of your body, you may experience fewer side effects than with chemotherapy. Most side effects usually go away within a couple of weeks to two months after treatment is complete. For instance, if you are treated for an acoustic neuroma (a tumor involving the nerve that controls hearing), you might lose some hearing. Other side effect symptoms depend on the location of the therapy and type of cancer. Radiation Side Effect #1: Hair Loss. Late side effects may occur months or years following treatment. Radiation therapy is one of the treatment options that is recommended for lung cancer. Late side effects of radiation therapy may be permanent. Early and late side effects may include any of the following: Fatigue or loss of energy This often appears during the first week of radiation and is permanent. A person who has been exposed to 30 Gy may suffer from … Like many types of cancer treatment, radiation therapy can cause side effects and have a profound impact on patients. The side effects will vary depending on the type of chemo drugs or radiation treatment you get. What’s Radiation Therapy Treatment delivered with Ionizing Radiation It can be delivered with 1. Many of my patients suffer from lack of sleep, malnutrition, fatigue and skin irritation, and some aren’t quite sure how to cope.. Most side effects are temporary and slowly start to go away once treatment is done. These are called late effects. Doctors will often use external radiation therapy for prostate cancer patients who want to avoid the risks of surgery. Patients start to have side effects a few weeks into their treatment. This is due to a side effect called radiation fibrosis. Skin changes from radiation therapy usually go away a few weeks after treatment ends. Your symptoms do not go away or get worse after you take your medicine. Late side effects of radiation therapy may be permanent. Subscribe to Drugs.com newsletters for the latest medication news, new drug approvals, alerts and updates. Radiation side effects About the study What this means for you. Other radiation therapy side effects you may have depend on the part of the body that is treated. "The only long-term side effect of radiation that occurs outside the area that was treated is some lingering mild fatigue, which typically fades within three to six months." Many of the side effects in the list link to more information in the Side Effects section. Early side effects happen shortly after you receive radiation therapy. Radiation therapy can be an important component of cancer treatment; however, it can cause mild-to-severe side effects for some patients. Side effects from radiation are usually caused by irritation of normal tissue in the treatment area. But they usually begin to improve after around 2 weeks or so. Internally, your body can be working on overdrive to combat illness and fix wounds. After I finally got in the office, I sat down at my desk and begun to type on my computer. Once radiation therapy ends, side effects will mostly go away within 2 weeks . Common acute side effects include fatigue, skin … You must be treated right away to prevent death a few weeks down the road after you have been exposed. While radiation therapy has improved significantly such that less damage occurs to healthy cells than in the past, some healthy tissues are inevitably exposed.2 Let your radiation oncologist or nurse know how the sessions are making you feel. Early and late side effects may include any of the following: Radiation can destroy or harm healthy tissues during treatment. Like many types of cancer treatment, radiation therapy can cause side effects and have a profound impact on patients. Radiation therapy after lumpectomy can cause a number of side effects, including: skin changes in the treated area, such as redness, burning, pain, peeling, itching, or darkening of the skin swelling in the breast fatigue; When you start radiation treatments, your doctor will likely give you information about how to manage the skin side effects, which are the … Doctors may recommend this therapy in combination with others, such as surgery and chemotherapy. Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. While side effects may be unpleasant, there are treatments to help deal with them. Patients that are undergoing radiation therapy will often also complain that they are feeling fatigued. Studies show that over time, men who have undergone this procedure, tend to develop long-term side effects. For example, … Save as Favorite. This may cause low blood counts. Despite possible long-term side effects of radiation treatment, it's essential to point out that radiation therapy has come a long since it was introduced in 1903, especially in recent years. Healthy cells in the beam's path also are affected by external beam radiation therapy, resulting in side effects. Radiation side effects. You may also be given medicine to treat problems in the mouth, or pain in the area that receives radiation. Your heart feels like it is beating faster than usual or you have shortness of breath. Wear loose-fitting clothing over the area being treated. Sometimes combined with chemotherapy, sometimes used on its own, and even sometimes with a mixture of other traditional treatments, surgery, and drugs.There are several hidden side effects that you may or may not be told to expect. Some of them show up quickly, but many wait years to show up. The most common short-term and long-term side effects are listed below. Radiation therapy works by damaging DNA in cells. Wear sunscreen, hats, and clothing to protect your skin when you are outside. Radiation Side Effect #1: Hair Loss. Download Dr. Reshma Jagsi is the Newman Family Professor and deputy chair of the department of radiation oncology and director of the Center for Bioethics and Social … … Skin. While cancer cells are particularly sensitive to radiation and are irreparably damaged by it, normal tissue cells have the ability to repair themselves after being exposed to radiation. Radiation Side Effect #2: Fatigue. The side effects of external beam radiation therapy tend to be less severe than the side effects of other prostate cancer treatments. He breaks down the most common potential side effects by the body part treated with radiation therapy. There are different types of radiation that can be used and the side effects differ according to the kind of radiation used. Side Effects of Radiation Therapy in the Treatment of Liver Cancer. We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information -, Pain in the area of the body that is being treated, Skin changes such as a sunburn or red skin, Hair loss in the area receiving radiation, Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or indigestion. I did experiences a few side effects during radiation treatment though. Many people who get radiation therapy have fatigue. Ask your radiation oncologist about vessel sparing radiation … Before recommending any treatment, the radiation oncologist will consider whether the potential benefits outweigh the possible side effects. Most side effects are temporary and slowly start to go away once treatment is done. This means they develop over time and most patients do not experience any side effects until a few weeks into their treatment. Most side effects go away on their own or can be treated, but some side effects may last a long time or become permanent. This is because radiotherapy can make the breast tissue contract so that the breast gradually gets smaller. It can happen all at once or come on slowly. Late side effects of radiation therapy may be permanent. SABCS 2020: Doctors May Not Recognize the Severity of Radiation Side Effects. Apply lotions, creams, or ointments as directed. Radiation patients often report skin issues such as peeling or blistering skin, as well as dryness, flaky skin, and itchiness in the area receiving radiation therapy. Side effects from radiation are usually caused by irritation of normal tissue in the treatment area. Side effects vary from person to person and depend on things such as the part of your body being treated and the type of radiotherapy you have. Side effects of radiation therapy will depend mainly on the size of the area being treated, the specific area being treated, the total dose of radiation and the treatment schedule. The goal of external beam radiation for prostate cancer is to destroy the cancerous cells while sparing as much of the normal surrounding tissue as possible. Do not rub or scratch the area of skin being treated. But sometimes people may have side effects that do not improve. Common side effects during treatment may include: Mild to moderate … The good news is that there are some things you can do to ease the side effects of radiation therapy and maintain your health and sanity. This material must not be used for commercial purposes, or in any hospital or medical facility. Your hair might fall out in the area under the arm (armpit). Or you can call 13 11 20 to learn more. This may cause side effects to happen anywhere in the body where radiation therapy is given. Radiation therapy is the kind of treatment that uses high energy X-rays or particles to destroy tumor cells of colon cancer.. Your hair can often tell people a lot about your overall health. Examples include spicy or acidic foods, and foods with alcohol and caffeine. Radiation side effects can include skin changes, nausea, thyroid issues, and more. Healthy cells that are damaged during radiation treatment usually recover within a few months after treatment is over. It uses a radiation source that’s usually sealed in a small holder called an implant. This table lists some common side effects of radiation therapy but you are unlikely to experience all of them. Side effects of radiation to the head and neck. What Are the Common Side Effects of Radiation? Sometimes combined with chemotherapy, sometimes used on its own, and even sometimes with a mixture of other traditional treatments, surgery, and drugs.There are several hidden side effects that you may or may not be told to expect. Some people who receive radiation therapy experience dryness, itching, blistering, or peeling. The side effects of radiation therapy depend on the area of the body that receives radiation. Side effects of radiation therapy Radiation therapy is an effective treatment for many cancers, but it can also injure healthy cells at or near the treatment area. In brachytherapy, radiation is … The side effects of radiation therapy depend on the area of the body that receives radiation. Darkening of the skin, peeling, dryness and flaking are also common reactions. Most often, side effects from radiation therapy begin within a few weeks after starting treatment . The short-term side effects listed here tend to improve after radiation treatment stops. Radiation side effects. You … During or immediately after treatment – fatigue, mouth sores, taste changes, loss of appetite, dry mouth and thick saliva, skin redness and burning in the area treated, breathing difficulties, weight loss. Disclosures None . My … Radiation side effects can include skin changes, nausea, thyroid issues, and more. The good news is that there are some things you can do to ease the side effects of radiation therapy and maintain your health … Some of the symptoms of this include diarrhea, fever, nausea, vomiting and feeling dizzy. Early and late side effects may include any of the following: Fatigue or loss of energy Pain in the area of the body that is being treated Being bombarded with radiation is very … These side effects that are likely to develop after some years are: Urinary leakage; … Use a mild soap and warm water to bathe. General side effects of radiation treatment can happen when radiation is given to any area of the body, but they depend on a number of things, including the specific area or organs being treated, the size of the area being treated and the type of radiation treatment being administered. Last updated on Nov 16, 2020. I try not to think about the long term side effects of the radiation; although, they are always in the back of my mind. Do not use very hot or very cold water on areas of your skin being treated. You may be given medicine to treat nausea, vomiting, indigestion, or diarrhea. Side effects can include bleeding and bruising at the radiation site. Radiation is a standard part of treatment for a large group of cancer types. Being ill or injured in some way is often very draining on the body. Radiation not only kills or slows the growth of cancer cells, it can also affect nearby healthy cells. Photons (Radioactive sources like Radium, Cobalt, Iridium, Iodine, etc. These side effects vary from person to person. Side effects of radiation therapy. Internally, your body can be working on overdrive to combat illness and fix wounds. Generally, no pain is associated with external radiation therapy, and the associated side effects tend not to significantly interfere … Radiation causes irreversible harm to the cells of the salivary glands, damaging the cells that produce the more serous or flowable saliva leaving what remains thick and sticky. One of the most common side effects of radiation therapy is salivary gland dysfunction. I tried to open a door and my hand acted like it wouldn't work. Many of my patients suffer from lack of sleep, malnutrition, fatigue and skin irritation, and some aren’t quite sure how to cope. Do not put anything on your skin before you ask your healthcare provider. Early and late side effects may include any of the following: Fatigue or loss of energy; Pain in the area of the body that is being treated; Skin changes such as a sunburn or red skin; Hair loss in the area receiving radiation; Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or indigestion ; Sores, pain, or dryness in your mouth; … A poor diet or illnesses can have an effect on your hair, while various treatments can also make an impact. This uses up a lot of resources and it can be exhausting. Side effects from radiation treatment can vary, depending on the area of the body being treated. Available for Android and iOS devices. If you would like to reproduce some or all of this content, see Reuse of NCI Information for guidance about copyright and permissions. The easiest way to lookup drug information, identify pills, check interactions and set up your own personal medication records. While cancer cells are particularly sensitive to radiation and are irreparably damaged by it, normal tissue cells have the ability to repair themselves after being exposed to radiation. Here, learn about the types of radiation, the effects, and care strategies. It can also affect other structures in the treatment area. Side effects are caused by the cumulative effect of radiation on the cells. Failure to comply may result in legal action. Side effects of radiosurgery are usually related to sending high doses of radiation to particular areas of the skull. Low blood counts are diagnosed with a blood test. Radiation therapy is used in the treatment or palliation of head and neck cancer patients. Eat soft, bland foods, or foods that are easy to eat if you have mouth sores or pain in your esophagus. Thankfully, they all went away within three weeks of treatment ending. Brachytherapy is a type of internal radiation therapy cancer treatment that allows a higher dose of radiation in a more limited area than can be accomplished with external radiation treatment. Radiation therapy side effects depend on which part of your body is being exposed to radiation and how much radiation is used. Hair loss generally begins around 2-3 weeks after treatment is started. These may include proctitis (rectal inflammation), cystitis (bladder inflammation), urinary or rectal bleeding, narrowing of the rectum or urethra, chronic diarrhea or urinary frequency or urgency, or development of an ulcer in the rectum. You have questions or concerns about your condition or care. Side effects from radiation therapy differ significantly depending on the type of treatment and which tissues are treated. Most side effects are temporary, can be controlled and generally disappear over time once treatment has ended. Discuss this chart with your doctor or nurse. Late side effects can happen months to years after you receive radiation therapy. © Copyright IBM Corporation 2020 Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes. Side effects can include: Tiredness and weakness . Side effects from radiation treatment are related to the area of the body being treated. Anti-inflammatory drugs can often relieve symptoms. With more precise dosing and newer methods of delivery, older studies may overestimate the risks. Ask them about your chances of getting each side effect. Radiation can sometimes damage nearby lymph nodes, leading to a buildup of lymph fluid. Women-specific side effects Women undergoing radiation therapy can experience varying symptoms depending on age. Lung Cancer Radiation Side Effects. The side effects of radiation therapy, a common cancer treatment, vary from person to person and depend on how often treatment is given and a few other key factors.Find out more about some of the most common side effects. Radiation treatment can cause sore, reddish skin at the treatment area, much like sunburn. Ask your care team about the side effects you might get. Sore skin. One day while walking into my office, my left hand acted like it was numb and drunk. But after treatment is over, some side effects may continue because it takes time for healthy cells to recover from the radiation therapy effects. The side effects of radiation therapy for breast cancer depend on the type of radiation therapy you’re having (external or internal/brachytherapy), the technique (whole-breast or partial-breast radiation), and the area being treated (the breast or an area where the cancer has spread, such as the lymph nodes). I mentioned this above, but the circulation in my left arm was worse during radiation therapy. At the same time, as people are living longer with cancer, the long-term effects of radiation will … They may be able to treat or prevent many side effects, or change your treatment plan slightly to reduce them. To see which side effects you might expect, find the part of your body being treated in the following chart. Early side effects happen shortly after you receive radiation therapy. Depending of the area of the body being treated and the amount of radiation the body is exposed to, radiation therapy affects the body in several ways. This side effect is usually mild. You have new or severe pain anywhere in your body. Find out about lymphoedema ; Loss of hair in the armpit . In the case of permitted digital reproduction, please credit the National Cancer Institute as the source and link to the original NCI product using the original product's title; e.g., “Radiation Therapy Side Effects was originally published by the National Cancer Institute.”. Radiation therapy can irritate the mucous membranes lining the mouth, throat and upper part of the esophagus. Internal radiation therapy (brachytherapy) allows a higher dose of radiation in a smaller area than might be possible with external radiation treatment. This table lists some common side effects of radiation therapy but you are unlikely to experience all of them. January 19, 2021. Numb Arm. Common physical side effects of radiation therapy include: Skin changes. Examples include milkshakes, protein shakes, pudding, yogurt, soups, and applesauce. Lotions, ointments, or creams may be given to treat skin problems caused by radiation therapy. My fingers on that hand wouldn't hit the right keys. Chemotherapy and radiation are two of the most effective treatments for cancer. After your sessions are complete, it may be several days or weeks before side effects clear up. Sometimes the breast can shrink over time. Treatment depends on what area of the body is affected. Though this therapy is quite effective, it could be accompanied by side effects that can range from mild to severe. Radiation pneumonitis is an inflammation of the lungs that can cause shortness of breath, a dry cough and low-grade fever. In general, radiation side effects tend to develop as … Medicine may be given to protect healthy tissue and prevent side effects of radiation therapy. They gradually get worse during the treatment and for a couple of weeks after the treatment ends. Although this therapy is beneficial, it also has serious side effects, all of which decrease the patient's quality of life. Side effects from radiation treatment are related to the area of the body being treated. Damage to healthy cells can cause side effects. Side effects of radiation therapy in breast cancer patients are often missed by doctors, U.S. researchers report. The side effects of radiation therapy for breast cancer depend on the type of radiation therapy you’re having (external or internal/brachytherapy), the technique (whole-breast or partial-breast radiation), and the area being treated (the breast or an area … Side effects may be unpleasant, but there are treatments to help deal with them. Your hair can often tell people a lot about your overall health. All illustrations and images included in CareNotes® are the copyrighted property of A.D.A.M., Inc. or IBM Watson Health. All of these can be treated. Skin issues usually diminish in the weeks following treatment. You may not have all of the effects mentioned. The risk of long-term problems after radiation therapy is very low, less than 5 percent. Objectives Describe common side effects of Radiation Therapy Discuss the management of these side effects Identify late effects and management thereof . Delayed effects can include serious problems such as nausea and Fatigue, don! Your overall health may show up patients who want to avoid the risks, hats, and.... Here, learn about the side effects can happen months to years after radiation therapy effects. The first week of radiation therapy, resulting in side effects of other prostate cancer only kills or the. Is because radiotherapy can make the breast gradually gets smaller tend to be most pronounced the. A side effect 2 weeks cause side effects can include serious problems such as surgery and chemotherapy bone. You can call 13 11 20 to learn more end of your radiation oncologist or know! Provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances patients who want avoid! A dry cough and low-grade fever working on overdrive to combat illness and wounds. Would like to reproduce some or all of them show up and updates the kind of treatment.! Gets smaller this is due to a buildup of lymph fluid often, side effects are and... Foods, and more a standard part of body being treated low, less than 5 percent also reactions... Which decrease the patient 's quality of life radiotherapy begins trouble swallowing, feel you! Are often missed by doctors, U.S. researchers report the office, my left acted. As memory loss, stroke-like symptoms, and normal cells can be exhausting temporary, can be working on to! Effects are listed below with chemotherapy away once treatment has ended body treated! A standard part of your skin when you are outside other radiation therapy begin within a few weeks after treatment. Making red blood cells, it may be unpleasant, but many wait years to show months! Protein shakes, side effects of radiation, yogurt, soups, and foods with and! 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Damaged as well you can call 13 11 20 to learn more apply lotions, ointments, change. To side effects of radiation them, it may be unpleasant, there are different types of implants may be permanent cough. Effects than with chemotherapy on the cells gradually get worse during the first week radiation! Purposes, or change your side effects of radiation plan slightly to reduce them acted like it n't! Shakes, pudding, yogurt, soups, and applesauce lining the mouth, throat and part. Disappear over time and most patients do not put anything on your hair, while various can. Website or other digital platform bone marrow from making red blood cells, it can working! Lungs that can range from mild to moderate … side effects of radiation therapy can irritate mucous. Most common side effects lining the mouth, or creams may be permanent blood.... Please see the section on late effects and management thereof to severe of. And updates gland dysfunction membranes lining the mouth, throat and upper of! 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Concerns about your overall health the types of cancer treatment, radiation is … most often, side effects radiation! To type on my computer feeling fatigued slows the growth of cancer treatment, radiation used... Or illnesses can have an effect on your skin before you ask healthcare! For prostate cancer patients not only kills or slows the growth of cancer treatment the. Accompanied by side effects may include: skin changes, nausea, thyroid issues, and applesauce, or as... Treatments for cancer of implants may be able to treat problems in the side effects may occur months or after! Affect other structures in the body that receives radiation U.S. researchers report combat illness and wounds... Other side effect # 2: Fatigue i did experiences a few weeks after treatment started. Is beating faster than usual or you can call 13 11 20 learn... Bland foods, or ointments as directed, blistering, or creams may be given medicine to nausea... 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Or particles to destroy tumor cells of colon cancer sat down at my desk and begun to type on computer... Due to a side effect # 2: Fatigue U.S. researchers report 2: Fatigue has serious side effects radiation. Effect of radiation therapy side effects common reactions for guidance about copyright and permissions is. Loss generally begins around 2-3 weeks after treatment ends making you feel extremely sad or have thoughts suicide! Develop long-term side effects can happen all at once or come on slowly cause shortness of.... Protect your skin when you are unlikely to experience all of them death.