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What are the side effects of radiation therapy?

Feb 13, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Bai Hongmei
Introduction
Side effects of radiotherapy may include skin damage, fatigue, nausea and vomiting, immune system impairment, bone marrow suppression, etc. During radiotherapy, patients may experience gastrointestinal discomfort such as nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite. Patients should maintain a light diet and avoid spicy, irritating, raw, cold, or hard foods. In addition, close attention should be paid to the patient's physical condition.

Generally speaking, radiotherapy refers to the use of radiation to treat cancer. Side effects of radiotherapy may include fatigue, skin damage, nausea and vomiting, immune system impairment, and bone marrow suppression. A detailed explanation is as follows:

1. Fatigue

Radiation not only kills tumor cells but also damages normal cells in the body, causing the body to require more energy to repair the damaged cells. Radiotherapy may lead to extreme fatigue and a noticeable decline in physical strength in patients. Additionally, radiation therapy may affect the patient's sleep quality, further exacerbating feelings of fatigue.

2. Skin Damage

During radiotherapy, radiation can damage the DNA of skin cells, leading to inflammatory reactions. The skin in the irradiated area may become red, swollen, painful, dry, or peel. As treatment progresses, the skin may become more sensitive, causing itching, stinging, and other discomforts.

3. Nausea and Vomiting

Radiation can irritate the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract, causing gastrointestinal dysfunction. Therefore, during radiotherapy, patients may experience symptoms of nausea and vomiting. These symptoms not only affect the patient's appetite and nutrient intake but may also increase the patient's psychological burden.

4. Immune System Impairment

While destroying tumor cells, radiation can also cause irreversible damage to surrounding normal cells, including those responsible for proper immune function. Therefore, radiotherapy may impair the patient's immune system to some extent. A weakened immune system may make patients more susceptible to infections and other diseases.

5. Bone Marrow Suppression

Radiation can damage the hematopoietic cells in the bone marrow, leading to decreased blood cell production. Thus, radiotherapy may suppress the bone marrow's ability to produce blood cells, resulting in reduced white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. This may make patients more prone to infections, anemia, and increased risk of bleeding.

During radiotherapy, patients may experience gastrointestinal discomfort such as nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite. Patients should maintain a bland diet and avoid eating spicy, stimulating, raw, cold, or hard foods. In addition, patients should closely monitor their physical condition and promptly inform their doctor of any adverse reactions for timely management.

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