The side effects of radiotherapy depend, among other things, on the total dose administered and the individual susceptibility of the patient.
General side effects of radiotherapy include:
- Tiredness (asthenia): this may appear during treatment, although it may also be due to other factors related to the disease and other treatments being performed.
- Skin reactions: regardless of the area irradiated, the skin will always be the entry point, and redness or erythema will appear after 2-3 weeks.
- Malnutrition: consequence of side effects that make it difficult or impossible to eat (in addition to anorexia, if any, typical of the disease).
Although radiation is localized, it also affects healthy tissues included in the radiation field. The changes or lesions that radiation causes in these tissues may give rise to side effects.
Side effects of radiation therapy depending on the area radiated.
Head and neck:
- Hair loss: reversible or definitive alopecia depending on the dose.
- Effects on the mouth:
- Mucositis, aphthous ulcers
- Infection by fungi (candidiasis)
- Dry mouth (xerostomia) and loss of taste (dysgeusia).
Chest:
- Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) due to esophageal mucosal involvement.
- Dry cough and shortness of breath (dyspnea).
Abdomen-pelvis:
- Nausea and vomiting, when the stomach area is irradiated.
- Diarrhea: one of the most frequent side effects.
- Urinary discomfort: dysuria and pollakiuria.
Side effects of radiotherapy in children and adults
The effects will be similar, but depending on the age and the dose administered, special care must be taken with regard to possible problems of bone growth, fertility, cognitive problems (when the brain is irradiated), or even the risk of the appearance of second tumors.
Treatment of the side effects of radiation therapy
Most side effects go away with time. Some can be alleviated with proper treatment, so it is recommended to see a Home Medicine professional who can provide appropriate advice. It is also important to follow a series of tips to help ease tolerance of the toxicity.
Side effects of long-term radiation therapy
The side effects of long-term radiation therapy are in the minority. Among those that persist over time, alopecia stands out, which can be irreversible in some cases, depending on the dose of radiotherapy administered.
It is important to pay special attention to fertility, since the ovaries and testicles are especially sensitive to radiation and, if they are in the field treated by radiotherapy, sterility may result. The attitude to be followed must be assessed on a case-by-case basis.