Side Effects Of Radiation Therapy For Breast Cancer Long Term

Radiation therapy has side effects because it not only kills or slows the growth of cancer cells it can also affect nearby healthy cells.

Side effects of radiation therapy for breast cancer long term.

Long term side effects can include. In this case breast fibrosis is a direct result of radiation damaging your skin s elasticity. Concern over long term side effects of radiation therapy is becoming more common as survival rates improve. Possible side effects of external radiation.

Other side effects depend on the part of the body that is being treated. Learn more about possible side effects. The main short term side effects of external beam radiation therapy to the breast are. Just as there can be long term side effects of chemotherapy radiation therapy may result in side effects that may begin and linger far after treatment has been completed these can include heart problems lung problems thyroid problems secondary cancers and more but it s important.

Swelling in the breast. Rare short or long term side effects. Skin changes in the treated area similar to a sunburn redness skin peeling darkening of the skin fatigue. The breasts may shrink or become more dense after radiation some women.

Rare short term side effects nausea and hair loss. Long term side effects occur months or years after treatment has ended. Your doctor will talk to you about the possible long term effects before you start your treatment. Radiotherapy can have some long term side effects such as hair loss and skin changes.

You won t lose the hair on your head. You may hear your doctor refer to it as breast fibrosis or glandular atrophy or radiation fibrosis syndrome rfs. However you may lose some hair under your arm or on the breast or chest area getting radiation this may be a concern for some men with breast cancer. Long term side effects of radiotherapy.