What is radiotherapy?
Radiation therapy is a type of treatment of the cancer in which radiation is used to destroy cancer cells. It is considered a local treatment, as it is usually applied only to the region of the body where the tumor is located. Radiation can be applied:
- from the outside of the body (external radiotherapy), being directed only to the place where the tumour is located
- through small implants containing the radioactive material (internal radiotherapy or brachytherapy) applied to the area of the tumour
What are the side effects of radiotherapy?
It is important to note that radiotherapy does not make people radioactive. Like chemotherapy, it can also affect healthy cells in the body, which can therefore lead to adverse effects such as:
- tiredness
- Bumps
- skin irritation
- Hair loss
- other symptoms, depending on where it is applied
These effects usually disappear at the end of treatment.
What are the long-term side effects of external radiotherapy?
External radiation therapy can have long-term adverse effects depending on where the radiation is applied, such as:
- infertility (if applied on or near the genitals)
- heart or lung problems (if applied to the chest)
- gastrointestinal problems (if applied to the belly)
- thyroid and neurological problems (if applied to the neck or head)
- It can also cause osteoporosis (a decrease in calcium in the bones)
People who have received radiation to the chest have a higher risk of developing breast and lung cancer.
Source: Portuguese Society of Oncology