Side Effects of Radiation Therapy in Elderly Women

Elderly women who are battling common forms of cancers have greater susceptibility towards side effects of radiation therapy treatment. Radiation therapy involves the principle of administering high dose of radiation to kill cancer cells. Radiation treatment poses significant side effects among highly susceptible female geriatric patients and the extent of side effects of radiation therapy depends on the elderly woman's tolerance to treatment.

Aging

• Aging is a myriad of physical, psychological and physiological changes. Elderly women primarily experience hormonal changes with a less aggressive immune system to ward of the occurrence of various illnesses such as cancer. Researcher J. Hansen, affiliated with the Danish Cancer Society, Institute of Cancer Epidemiology, identified the most common cancers afflicting elderly women--breast, colon, lung, and stomach cancers. All forms of cancers often require radiation therapy treatment. The aim of this treatment is to administer radiation high enough to kill cancer cells. According to Roswell Park Cancer Institute, the response to radiation therapy is quite significant with age and any existing medical condition will also affect the extent of side effects the patient will experience.

Tolerance

• There is a significant relationship between the age of an elderly person and her tolerance to radiation that involves the toxicity present upon exposure to radiation, according to Jaime Gomez-Millan of Oncology Stat. The side effects will vary according to the dosage of radiation administered to the patient and the tolerance of the patient. There is a lowered functional tolerance to radiation among the elderly, hence a thorough geriatric assessment is required to determine the good candidates for radiation therapy in the treatment of common cancers among women.

Common Side Effects

• The most common side effects of radiation among elderly patients for cancers involve fatigue, skin problems and loss of appetite. Fatigue is common among less tolerant patients while skin problems are due to the radiation exposure resulting to a reddened, sunburned and irritated skin. Loss of appetite may lead to nutritional deficiencies and weight loss. Elderly women under radiation treatment for lung and breast cancer may experience swollen and sore breasts, while radiation therapy to the pelvic region for colon and stomach cancer will likely cause bladder irritation and digestive problems.

Short Term Side Effects

• Short-term side effects commonly occur hours after the radiotherapy. Symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, dehydration, diarrhea, headache and upset stomach are common signs of radiation side effects.

Long Term Side Effects

• The exposure to radiation often results to long term side effects which surface years after exposure to radiation. These include increased recurrence of cancer, irreparable cell damage and damage to the blood vessels.

Management

• It is best for an elderly woman not to wear a bra if possible or choose a light fabric bra without underwire to avoid skin irritation after radiation treatment to the chest and breast. Management for common side effects of radiation such as nausea and vomiting is to avoid food intake before the treatment. Always hydrate yourself with fluids when you have diarrhea. Drug management aims to relieve the symptomatic side effects of radiation therapy and protects healthy cells during treatment.