Side Effects > Radiotherapy-related

Last update: 05/16/2011

TOPICS
Radiation | Quick Reference | Recommended Resources |  Research News

Topic search: Medscape:  Radiotherapy AND "side effects"

The side-effects you may experience from radiotherapy will depend on which area is being treated.

For example, if you receive radiotherapy to the neck, you may experience a sore throat and discomfort when swallowing. 

"Complications of radiotherapy depend on the irradiated volume of tissue, dose administered, and the technique employed. The acute effects are usually mild and transient ... " Merck

In general modern radiotherapy devices are becoming better at focusing on cancer tissue and sparing normal cells. This tends to reduce side effects. 

Common side effects of radiotherapy:

Click links below to run Google topic searches

	Cystitis (pain when passing urine) - associated with bowel
	Diarrhea - associated with stomach and pelvis therapy
	Dermatitis (inflammation of the skin)  - related PubMed abstracts
	Dry eye - associated with radiotherapy to to the eye
	Dry mouth - (xerostomia) associated with head and neck therapy
	Hair loss - associated with head and neck therapy
	Loss of taste - associated with mouth or head therapy
	Low blood counts (increases risk of infection) - associated with therapy that effects the bone marrow
	Mild depression (general)
	Mucositis (general)
	Nausea and vomiting (general)
	Oral pain - associated with mouth or head therapy
	Pain
	Tiredness and fatigue (general)
	Weight and appetite loss - associated with mouth or head therapy

Radiotherapy Dosing Limits (estimated)

Various tumors and viscera have different dose limits described below

Tumor control dose (Gy = Gray)			Normal tissue tolerance
Leukemic cell	6 Gy		Brain	50 Gy
Histiocytosis	12 Gy		Spinal cord	45 Gy
Wilms’ tumor	20 Gy		Eye lens	6 Gy
Microscopic disease	50 Gy		Eye retina	50 Gy
Seminoma	25 Gy		Lungs	22.5 Gy
Lymphoma	36 Gy		Liver	35 Gy
Carcinoma	60-70 Gy		Stomach	45 Gy
Sarcoma	70 Gy		Kidney	22.5 Gy
Glioma	55-60 Gy		Uterus	250 Gy
Pituitary tumor	46 Gy		Rectum	50 Gy
Ewings sarcoma	55 Gy		Bladder	60 Gy

Source: Introduction to clinical radiotherapy  www.medic.usm.my/~jpnro/documents/IntroRT.doc 

Short- and Long-term risks of radiotherapy

The risks of any therapy must be weighed against the risks of the disease, alternative therapies, and the potential benefits of the treatment.

Short-term side effects from radiation therapy may include:

	dry mouth
	loose bowel movements,
	mild skin reactions,
	sore throat,
	tiredness,
	upset stomach,

Long-term side effects of radiation therapy is much lower today with newer radiation techniques that deliver low doses to the target areas, while minimizing exposures to normal tissues. Ongoing studies will better define which patients need radiation therapy and how much radiation is needed. In general, long-term risks are greater for patients who have a longer life expectancy, such as young patients receiving curative regimens.

	early onset of atherosclerotic heart disease;
	growth problems of bones and soft tissues;
	thyroid, heart, and lung problems;
	secondary cancers

Also see:  

Cancer Treatment Support: Avoiding Infections | Diet Guidelines | Diet for Immunosuppressed | Fight nausea | Oral Health | Constipation | When to call your doctor

Resources: 

	NPR Walt Bogdanich interview: [Benefits and] Hidden Dangers Of Medical Radiation Includes many useful tips  - questions to ask, who to ask, how to identify credentialed centers ....
	Managing Side Effects - National Cancer Institute
	Radiotherapy: Possible side effects of treatment - CancerBACUP
	Acute Radiation Morbidity Scoring Criteria rtog.org

Quick Reference

Return to top

Resources & Research News:

Phase III randomized trial of Calendula officinal is compared with trolamine for the prevention of acute dermatitis during irradiation for breast cancer. J Clin Oncol. 2004 Apr 15;22(8):1447-53.  PMID: 15084618 | related abstracts  (Could well apply to protection of skin when receiving radiotherapy for any cancer.)