Side Effects Of Radiation Therapy For Breast Cancer Long Term

The breasts may shrink or become more dense after radiation some women.

Side effects of radiation therapy for breast cancer long term.

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. Other side effects depend on the part of the body that is being treated. In this case breast fibrosis is a direct result of radiation damaging your skin s elasticity.

The main short term side effects of external beam radiation therapy to the breast are. Radiation therapy has side effects because it not only kills or slows the growth of cancer cells it can also affect nearby healthy cells. Radiotherapy can have some long term side effects such as hair loss and skin changes. Rare short term side effects nausea and hair loss.

Skin changes in the treated area similar to a sunburn redness skin peeling darkening of the skin fatigue. Concern over long term side effects of radiation therapy is becoming more common as survival rates improve. Rare short or long term side effects. Many people who get radiation therapy experience fatigue.

Possible side effects of external radiation. However breast fibrosis can also be long term side effect of radiotherapy. Long term side effects can include. Learn more about possible side effects.

You won t lose the hair on your head. Swelling in the breast. 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. Long term side effects of radiotherapy.