Radiation therapy side effects

Key takeaways

• Radiation usually affects the treated area more than the whole body.
• Fatigue and skin changes are common, but side effects vary by treatment site.
• Some side effects improve after treatment; late effects can happen months or years later.
• Report symptoms early so the care team can help manage them.

Why side effects happen

Radiation therapy aims radiation at cancer cells, but nearby healthy tissue can also be affected. That is why side effects often match the part of the body being treated.

A person receiving radiation to the head and neck may have different issues than someone receiving radiation to the pelvis, chest, or breast area. The care team should explain what is expected for the exact treatment field.

Common patterns

• Fatigue can build during a course of treatment.
• Skin in the treated area may become red, tender, dry, itchy, or darker.
• Head and neck treatment can affect swallowing, mouth moisture, taste, or dental health.
• Abdomen or pelvis treatment can affect nausea, bowels, bladder, or sexual function.
• Chest treatment can sometimes affect swallowing, cough, or breathing symptoms.

When to contact the care team

Ask your team for a symptom plan before treatment starts. In general, new fever, severe pain, trouble breathing, dehydration, bleeding, inability to eat or drink, or rapidly worsening symptoms should be reported urgently.

Sources

• National Cancer Institute: Side Effects of Cancer Treatment — Overview of cancer treatment side effects and the importance of reporting symptoms.
• American Cancer Society: Radiation therapy side effects — Explains that radiation side effects depend on the body area treated.