Radiation-Induced Effects

Radiation is used to describe the process of ionizing atoms. It is commonly used in hospitals or medical facilities in the treatment of tumors and cancerous diseases, known as radiation therapy. While often successful in reducing or eliminating cancerous cells, it is a dangerous form of therapy because of the numerous radiation-induced effects that often accompany it.

Tissue Damage

• Tissue damage caused by radiation occurs on a molecular level. Radiation can damage or destroy tissue through a process known as ionization (the dislodging of electrons shared between molecular bonds in tissue). This destroys the molecular bond and causes tissue to break down. The results can be detrimental, such as open sores on the skin or organ damage. However, radiation can also aid the body by destroying cancerous tissue.

Nausea

• Nausea is usually experienced after an individual has undergone radiation therapy. Nausea post-therapy varies from mild queasiness to acute vomiting. It typically occurs two to several hours following treatment. Normally, patients acclimate to treatment the longer it progresses and experience less nausea over time.

Mucous Membranes

• Radiation irritates and inflames mucous membranes whenever it is administered to the mouth, nose, bowel, rectum, esophagus, stomach or similar soft tissue. Depending on the site of administration, an individual may experience diarrhea, abdominal cramping, cough, hoarseness, painful urination or similar symptoms. When exposed to radiation, mucous membranes tend to dehydrate and develop a filmy cover similar to dead, flaky skin. This usually remains until the underlying tissue is healed.

Hair Loss

• An individual will often lose hair after being exposed to radiation. This occurs only on the part of the body to which radiation is administered. Thus, baldness does not occur as a result of radiation applied to an area below the head, such as the stomach.

Fatigue

• Fatigue is perhaps the most common side effect of radiation. Fatigue is characterized by acute sensations of tiredness or lack of energy. It is not relieved by sleep and may last several months at a time.

Late Effects

• Several effects may occur weeks or even years following radiation exposure. Scarring of the blood vessels or connective tissue sometimes leads to atrophy and poor blood flow. A person exposed to radiation has a higher risk of genetic mutation, which commonly affects the passing of chromosomes to children. Leukemia, a cancer of the bone marrow, may also occur because radiation weakens and damages bone tissue. However, the chances of a contraction or recurrence of leukemia are very slight.