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Are you undergoing radiation therapy? Do you want to know the effects of radiotherapy on the body? Then follow the article, and do not worry, as its benefits outweigh its harms in most cases.
Radiotherapy is of great importance in the treatment of cancerous tumors, due to its ability to prevent the proliferation of cancer cells, but it also affects normal cells in the human body.
Here are the most important effects of radiotherapy on the body
The effects of radiotherapy on the body are general and common
Common physical side effects of radiation therapy include
1. Skin problems
Where skin may appear in the radiation treatment area
Red color.
blustery.
swollen.
Is sore or looks like it''s sunburned.
After a few weeks, the skin may become dry, scaly, or itchy. This is sometimes called radiation dermatitis.
These problems usually disappear gradually after treatment ends, but in some cases the treated skin may remain darker and may become more sensitive than it was before.
2. Fatigue and fatigue
It is common for patients to feel tired and tired during treatment, usually starting a few weeks after the start of radiation therapy, but often gradually disappearing over time after treatment ends.
This effect is thought to result from the body''s response to the need to heal cells exposed to radiation damage.
Fatigue during radiation therapy is different from the tiredness of daily life, may not improve with rest, may persist for a long time, and interfere with the ability to perform usual activities.
3. Long term side effects
Most of the effects of radiotherapy on the body go away after a short period, but some of them continue or come back at a later time, and this is called long-term side effects, including the development of secondary cancer, any other type of cancer that occurs due to the first cancer treatment, but its probability is low, so the The benefits of treatment greatly outweigh these risks.
Effects of radiation therapy depending on the part of the body being treated
It is worth noting that most of the effects of radiotherapy on the body are local and depend on the type and location of the part of the body to which the radiotherapy is directed, as follows:
1. Head and neck
Radiation therapy aimed at a person''s head or neck may cause the following side effects
Dry mouth.
Mouth and gum ulcers.
Difficulty swallowing.
stiffness of the jaw
nausea.
hair loss
A type of swelling called lymphedema.
tooth decay.
Changes in the sense of taste.
nausea.
earache
Swelling of the gums, throat or neck.
changes in skin texture
2. The brain
Where the effects of radiation therapy on the body related to the brain include all of the following:
Fatigue.
hair loss
Nausea and vomiting.
skin changes
headache.
Blurred vision.
3. Chest
Chest radiation therapy may cause the following effects
Difficulty swallowing.
shortness of breath.
Pain in the breast or nipple.
Stiff shoulder.
Cough, fever, and chest fullness, known as radiation pneumonia, that occurs between 2 weeks and 6 months after radiation therapy.
Radiation fibrosis, which causes permanent lung scarring from untreated radiation pneumonia.
4. Stomach and abdomen
The effects of radiotherapy on the body, with regard to the stomach and abdomen, appear with the following disorders:
Anorexia.
Nausea and vomiting.
intestinal cramps
Loose stools or diarrhea.
5. The pelvis
The effects of radiotherapy in the pelvis appear as follows
Diarrhea.
Rectal bleeding.
incontinence.
Bladder irritation.
changes in the menstrual cycle
Symptoms of menopause, such as: dryness, burning, itching in the vagina.
Infertility in women if radiation therapy is directed to both ovaries.
Erectile dysfunction in men.
Infertility in men due to a decrease in the number and movement of sperm, as a result of radiation therapy to the testicles or prostate gland.
Effects of radiotherapy on the body from a psychological point of view
Radiotherapy can be a frustrating, stressful and painful experience, and may result in
Psychological trauma for some.
Having difficulty adjusting to the status quo.
Constant anxiety and stress.
Although it is normal to feel anxious during treatment and to wonder how well it is working, the above symptoms can increase the risk of depression.
