The Effects of Radiation Treatment for Cancer

Radiation treatment destroys cancer cells with beams of ionized energy. After treatment begins, the first effects can appear within days, and they can persist for weeks after treatment ends. Each patient will have a different experience.

Fatigue

• Fatigue refers to physical, mental or emotional tiredness. These feelings can negatively affect cancer patients' job performance, social life and willingness to follow their cancer treatment plan.

Emotional Difficulties

• Emotional difficulties can arise during radiation treatment. Depression, anger, helplessness and loneliness are all common, but cancer support groups can offer help.

Hair Problems

• Hair can change texture, thin and fall out because of radiation. However, these problems occur only in the treatment area, and the hair generally normalizes after the treatment ends.

Skin Problems

• Skin problems include redness, blistering, swollenness and other kinds of irritation. After a few weeks of radiation treatment, the skin may also become dry and peel.

Loss of Appetite

• Loss of appetite occurs when radiation treatment passes through the head, neck or parts of the digestive system. Eating five or six small meals per day, rather than two or three big ones, can help remedy this problem.