Late side effects can take months or even years to develop.
Side effects of radiation treatment for metastatic breast cancer.
There are many different types of side effects.
Radiation not only kills or slows the growth of cancer cells it can also affect nearby healthy cells.
Lowered white blood cell counts.
It can also effectively reduce the risk of metastatic breast cancer growth and progression in people with hormone sensitive tumors.
Side effects tend to be most pronounced toward the end of your radiation treatment.
Over time treatments should become.
Rare short or long term side effects.
Skin and nail changes.
Still if you do have fears about side effects it can take away your peace of mind.
Sexual health issues in men.
The radiation dose and schedule for metastases depends on a number of factors including.
Hormone therapy following surgery radiation or chemotherapy has been shown to reduce the risk of breast cancer recurrence in people with early stage hormone sensitive breast cancers.
Sleep problems and insomnia.
Nausea is rare with radiation therapy to the breast.
A problem that occurs when treatment affects healthy tissues or organs.
Other early side effects usually are related to the area being treated such as hair loss and mouth problems when radiation treatment is given to this area.
The most common early side effects are fatigue feeling tired and skin changes.
Many people who get radiation therapy have fatigue.
On these pages you can read about the kinds of side effects you may experience over the course of your radiation treatment.
Common side effects during treatment may include.
Sexual health issues in women.
Some common side effects of breast cancer treatment are fatigue pain nausea vomiting decreased blood cell counts hair loss and mouth sores.
Read about the how radiation affects the skin in the managing skin side effects pages.
You won t lose the hair on your head.
Some people experience mild discomfort or pain around the breast or stiffness in the shoulder area.
After your sessions are complete it may be several days or weeks before side effects clear up.
Urinary and bladder problems.
It can happen all at once or come on slowly.
Fatigue is feeling exhausted and worn out.
Common short term side effects include.
Damage to healthy cells can cause side effects.
Keep in mind that side effects vary from person to person even among people receiving the same type of cancer treatment.
Mild to moderate fatigue.
Take pressure off a pinched nerve that might be causing pain numbness or weakness.
