What are the common side effects of radiation therapy?
Radiation therapy involves targeting specific locations or disease sites, and associated side effects depend on the tissues involved (i.e. digestive system). Patients often experience side effects as early as two weeks following therapy, and lasts a few weeks to months (or even years in outlier cases).
Radiation therapy involves targeting specific locations or disease sites, and associated side effects depend on the tissues involved (i.e. digestive system). Patients often experience side effects as early as two weeks following therapy, and lasts a few weeks to months (or even years in outlier cases).
Here are examples of the more common side effects based on location:
Radiation to the brain or head and neck areas
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dry mouth or thick saliva. Medication may be given to treat a dry mouth.
- Sore mouth and gums
- Changes in the way food tastes
- Trouble swallowing
- Pain when swallowing
- Being unable to fully open the mouth
Radiation to the chest area
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Trouble swallowing
- Pain when swallowing
- Choking or breathing problems caused by changes in the upper esophagus
- Radiation to the abdomen, pelvis, or rectum
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Bowel obstruction
- Colitis
- Diarrhea
Lastly, radiation therapy may also cause tiredness, which can lead to a decrease in appetite.
More Information at cancer.gov.
Sources
- Grant BL: Nutritional effects of cancer treatment: chemotherapy, biotherapy, hormone therapy and radiation therapy. In: Leser M, Ledesma N, Bergerson S, et al., eds.: Oncology Nutrition for Clinical Practice. Chicago, Ill: Oncology Nutrition Dietetic Practice Group, 2018, pp 97-114.
Leave a Reply