Radiation Therapy

Understanding and managing side effects

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Learn More about Potential Side Effects of Radiation Therapy and how to Manage them.

This is a list of the most common side effects resulting from radiation therapy. This list does not include all side effects from all drugs, but does include those side effects we see most often.

Allergic Reaction

If this side effect were to occur, you might develop hives or a rash, swelling, fever, chills, difficulty breathing, or even low blood pressure. If any of these occur as a result of your medication, you may be given additional anti-allergy medication. Your chemotherapy will be stopped during the reaction and perhaps re-started after the reaction subsides, or stopped and re-scheduled for another day, or discontinued.

Appetite Changes

Foods and liquids may taste different to you because the cells in your mouth, stomach, and intestines have been affected by your chemotherapy. In addition, if you are inactive, this may also decrease your appetite. Despite a poor appetite, it is important to eat nutritiously to help your body recover from the effects of chemotherapy.

Loss of appetite is one of the most common problems that occur with cancer and its treatment. No one knows exactly what causes loss of appetite. It may be caused by the treatments or by the cancer itself. Emotions such as fear or depression can also take away a person’s appetite. For some people, loss of appetite happens for just a day or two; for others, it’s an ongoing concern.

Anemia or Low Red Blood Cell Count

Anemia means the number of red blood cells (RBCs) circulating in your blood is lower than normal. Red blood cells are important because they deliver oxygen to your body. These blood cells are produced in the bone marrow. When chemotherapy kills cancer cells it also kills normal cells such as the red blood cells. Anemia caused by chemotherapy is temporary and usually does not occur for two or more months.

You may experience the following symptoms if your RBCs are low:

  • Fatigue, weakness or have a lack of energy
  • Dizziness or lightheadedness
  • Shortness or breath
  • Chest pain
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Your skin color may become pale
  • Difficulty staying warm

Low Platelet Count

Platelets are the cells in your blood that form blood clots to stop bleeding. They are produced in your bone marrow. As mentioned before, chemotherapy not only kills cancer cells but also healthy cells, such as your platelets. If your platelet count is going to be affected by your chemotherapy, then it will fall 8 to 14 days after your chemotherapy.

If your platelet count is low, you may notice the following:

  • Bruise easily or unexplained bruises
  • It takes longer to stop bleeding after an injury
  • Your gums bleed while brushing your teeth
  • Develop nose bleeds more easily
  • A headache that will not go away

If you notice any of the above signs or symptoms, notify your doctor.

Low White Blood Cell Count or Neutropenia

White blood cells (WBCs) are the cells that travel throughout your body and help to fight off infection. White blood cells are produced in the bone marrow. When your chemotherapy kills your cancer cells it also kills some of your normal cells such as your white blood cells. WBCs live for a very short amount of time, sometimes just hours after leaving the bone marrow. If your white blood cell count is going to drop after chemotherapy, it will occur 8 to 12 days afterwards.

Your doctor or nurse will check your blood counts throughout your chemotherapy treatments. They will be watching your white blood cell count carefully. When your white blood cell count reaches its lowest point, called nadir, your doctor may choose to treat your low WBC count with medications such as Neupogen or Neulasta. These medications stimulate your bone marrow to produce more white blood cells more quickly, thus avoiding treatment delays.

If you notice any of the following while receiving chemotherapy, please notify your doctor:

  • Fever – temperature greater than 100.4
  • Chills
  • Sore throat
  • Cough
  • Runny nose
  • Ear ache
  • Burning with urination
  • Pain, redness, or swelling at the site of an injury, or at a central line, port, or needle site

When to Contact Us

Radiation Side Effects can differ for each patient. Please let us know if you do not feel well, if something is troubling you, or if you are in need of assistance after chemotherapy. Many times there are simple measures that can be taken to alleviate your problems. We want you to call us or notify us when you are in the clinic about the problems you are having. Do not assume that you must “live with it,” or that “it goes along with the treatment”.

When you call during office hours, our switchboard operators will connect you to our triage nurse. If the nurse is not available at the time you call, you will be sent to voicemail. Please leave a message – do not hang up and call back. Your chart will be accessed, and the nurse will return your phone call. Based on the number of calls received, it may be an hour or two before you receive a return call.

If you have a problem after hours or on weekends, call 479-587-1700. The Highlands Oncology Answering Service will communicate your message to the doctor on call. Your call will be returned by Dr. Hayward, Dr. Bradford, Dr. Beck, Dr. Travis, Dr. Oakhill, Dr Rosenfeld, or Dr Schaefer. Do not worry if your physician is not on call. All of our doctors are oncologists with many years of experience; therefore any one of them will be able to help you.