Cancer Radiation Therapy Side Effects

Your health care team can treat andor talk with you about ways to reduce these side effects so you feel better. Many people who get radiation therapy experience fatigue.

Radiation Therapy Side Effects National Cancer Institute
www.cancer.gov

Many patients are surprised to discover that having radiation therapy is less difficult than they expected though the radiation used to damage cancer in your body can also damage healthy cells.

Cancer radiation therapy side effects. Radiation therapy has side effects because it not only kills or slows the growth of cancer cells it can also affect nearby healthy cells. Radiation therapy can cause early and late side effects. Most often side effects from radiation therapy begin within a few weeks of starting treatment and go away within 2 weeks after treatment ends.

Side effects are caused by damage to healthy cells. This 1 page printable pdf gives an introduction to radiation therapy including an overview of the different types of radiation what to expect during treatment possible side effects terms to know and questions to ask the health care team. Other side effects depend on the part of the body that is being treated.

Radiation therapy damages cancer cells. The goal is to destroy or damage the cancer without hurting too many healthy cells. Learn more about possible side effects.

Healthy cells in the treatment area can also be damaged even though steps are taken to protect normal tissue as much as possible. Theyre usually gone within a few weeks after treatment ends. Speak up about any problems you have.

Radiation may be used to cure or shrink early stage cancer stop cancer from coming back or to treat symptoms when cancer has spread. Radiation therapy treats cancer by using high energy waves to kill tumor cells. Cancer treatments and cancer can cause side effects.

Side effects are problems that occur when treatment affects healthy tissues or organs. Early side effects happen during or shortly after treatment. Radiation therapy is one of the most common treatments for cancer.

Just as the benefits of radiation are gradual youll usually see a gradual onset of side effects. Download ascos free radiation therapy fact sheet. Common side effects of radiation therapy.

These side effects tend to be short term mild and treatable. Learn about the types of radiation why side effects happen which ones you might have and more. Different cells and tissues in the body tolerate radiation differently.

This treatment can cause side. Learn about how it works and what to expect. Radiation therapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses high doses of radiation to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors.

Not everyone experiences side effects of radiation. Let your radiation oncologist or nurse know how the sessions are making you feel.

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