Side Effects of External Radiation

Because humans receive low doses of naturally occurring radiation in day-to-day life, you don't usually have to seriously be concerned about its effects unless exposed to an abnormal amount. This most often occurs as a result of radiation therapy for cancer treatment.

Fatigue

• According to the American Cancer Society, fatigue is an extremely common side effect of radiation therapy. While fatigue will generally diminish after radiation therapy is concluded, often cancer patients find that fatigue is not always helped by rest, which can be very frustrating for patients that are used to being active.

Skin Irritation

• Skin irritation will manifest itself similarly to sunburn. Skin around the area of the body that is being exposed will likely become dry and itchy and may begin to peel.

Hair loss

• Hair loss, like skin irritation, will occur in the area of the body directly exposed to radiation. For patients receiving treatment for cancer in or near the head, dramatic hair loss up to the point of complete baldness may occur.

White blood cell depletion

• A relatively rare side effect is a reduction in white blood cell counts. Since white blood cells are the body's defense against infection, this can quickly become a dangerous situation.

Other cancers

• Ironically, one of the long-term potential side effects of radiation exposure for cancer treatment is cancer itself. Such cancer can manifest itself up to 10 to 15 years after the original exposure.