“What is the most common acute side effect of radiation treatment?”
I am a 60 year old male. I had a radiation treatment but can no longer reach my doctor because of the coronavirus.
5 Answers
Radiatoni burning.
Depending on the location which you receive treatment such as food pipe, you may experience some difficulty in swallowing of heart burn, in the stomach, you may feel nausea, vomiting. You should call your physician and leave massage for your physician/nurse. They will be able to answer questions that you have specific for you.
Dr. Joshua N. Halpern
Radiation Oncologist
Radiation does not spread outside the targeted area. Side effects depend therefore what area is treated. If bowel is treated, you may have loose stools. Radiation of urinary bladder would cause urinary frequency or discomfort etc. Radiation treatments are devised with toxicity in mind, so they may be easily tolerated.
Dear Concerned Patient,
The acute side effects of radiation are largely site-specific. This means that radiation to different areas of the body induces select side effects. Thus, the acute radiation side effects will be dictated by the cancer site, and the normal structures/organs adjacent to the target/tumor. However, there are certain acute side effects that can result from radiation, regardless of the site of treatment. These are, namely, radiation dermatitis including skin irritation, erythema (redness), folliculitis/pruritus (rash/itching), possible desquamation/skin peeling), and fatigue. These are cumulative, and thus become more prominent as the treatment progresses. However, it is important to note that the rate of progression varies. For example, some patients may develop fatigue at the end of the second week of radiation, while others may detect some level of fatigue earlier, or later, in their treatment course. In addition, systemic treatment such as chemotherapy, may augment, worsen or accelerate the timing of side effects. Again, other acute side effects may occur, but are more specific to the treatment site. Thus, treatment to the abdomen may result in nausea (with or without vomiting), diarrhea and flatulence (gas). Radiation to the lung or chest area may result in cough, difficulty and/or pain on swallowing; while radiation to the prostate may result in increased urinary frequency, pain on urination (dysurea) and/increased nocturia (urination multiple times during the night). I would encourage you to call your Radiation Oncology team for further discussion, and recommended interventions for side effects.Telemedicine is an option in some clinical practices.
Regards,
Dr. EB
The acute side effects of radiation are largely site-specific. This means that radiation to different areas of the body induces select side effects. Thus, the acute radiation side effects will be dictated by the cancer site, and the normal structures/organs adjacent to the target/tumor. However, there are certain acute side effects that can result from radiation, regardless of the site of treatment. These are, namely, radiation dermatitis including skin irritation, erythema (redness), folliculitis/pruritus (rash/itching), possible desquamation/skin peeling), and fatigue. These are cumulative, and thus become more prominent as the treatment progresses. However, it is important to note that the rate of progression varies. For example, some patients may develop fatigue at the end of the second week of radiation, while others may detect some level of fatigue earlier, or later, in their treatment course. In addition, systemic treatment such as chemotherapy, may augment, worsen or accelerate the timing of side effects. Again, other acute side effects may occur, but are more specific to the treatment site. Thus, treatment to the abdomen may result in nausea (with or without vomiting), diarrhea and flatulence (gas). Radiation to the lung or chest area may result in cough, difficulty and/or pain on swallowing; while radiation to the prostate may result in increased urinary frequency, pain on urination (dysurea) and/increased nocturia (urination multiple times during the night). I would encourage you to call your Radiation Oncology team for further discussion, and recommended interventions for side effects.Telemedicine is an option in some clinical practices.
Regards,
Dr. EB
Acute radiation side effects depend on the exact part of the body being treated.
