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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:
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Cystitis (pain when passing urine) - associated with bowel
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Diarrhea - associated with stomach and pelvis therapy
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Dermatitis (inflammation of the skin) - related PubMed abstracts
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Dry eye - associated with radiotherapy to to the eye
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Dry mouth - (xerostomia) associated with head and neck therapy
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Hair loss - associated with head and neck therapy
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Loss of taste - associated with mouth or head therapy
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Low blood counts (increases risk of infection) - associated with therapy that effects the bone marrow
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Mild depression (general)
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Mucositis (general)
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Nausea and vomiting (general)
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Oral pain - associated with mouth or head therapy
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Pain
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Tiredness and fatigue (general)
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Weight and appetite loss - associated with mouth or head therapy
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Radiotherapy Dosing Limits (estimated)
Various tumors and viscera have different dose limits described below
Tumor control dose (Gy = Gray)
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Normal tissue tolerance
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Leukemic cell
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6 Gy
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Brain
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50 Gy
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Histiocytosis
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12 Gy
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Spinal cord
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45 Gy
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Wilms’ tumor
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20 Gy
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Eye lens
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6 Gy
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Microscopic disease
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50 Gy
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Eye retina
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50 Gy
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Seminoma
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25 Gy
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Lungs
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22.5 Gy
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Lymphoma
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36 Gy
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Liver
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35 Gy
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Carcinoma
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60-70 Gy
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Stomach
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45 Gy
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Sarcoma
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70 Gy
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Kidney
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22.5 Gy
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Glioma
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55-60 Gy
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Uterus
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250 Gy
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Pituitary tumor
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46 Gy
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Rectum
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50 Gy
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Ewings sarcoma
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55 Gy
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Bladder
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60 Gy
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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:
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dry mouth
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loose bowel movements,
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mild skin reactions,
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sore throat,
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tiredness,
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upset stomach,
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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.
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early onset of atherosclerotic heart disease;
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growth problems of bones and soft tissues;
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thyroid, heart, and lung problems;
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secondary cancers
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Also see:
Resources:
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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 ....
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Managing Side Effects - National Cancer Institute
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Radiotherapy: Possible side effects of treatment - CancerBACUP
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Acute Radiation Morbidity Scoring Criteria rtog.org
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