Radiation therapy to the pelvis for example as treatment for bladder ovarian or prostate cancer can cause side effects such as.
Side effects of radiotherapy for womb cancer.
Side effects of radiation therapy short term side effects.
For endometrial cancer the radiation is usually directed at the entire pelvis.
Most women with stage 2 or 3 womb cancer are recommended to have radiotherapy after surgery.
Bladder problems fertility problems.
You may not have all of the effects mentioned.
Severe fatigue which may not start until about 2 weeks after treatment begins is also common.
You might have internal radiotherapy brachytherapy external radiotherapy or both.
Side effects of internal radiotherapy brachytherapy tend to happen about 1 to 2 weeks after treatment.
Radiotherapy uses high energy rays similar to x rays to kill cancer cells.
Your specialist will talk to you about the benefits and disadvantages of radiotherapy in your situation.
They are usually mild and last for a few days or weeks.
Common side effects of radiation therapy include tiredness upset stomach or loose stools.
They gradually get worse during the treatment and for a couple of weeks after the treatment ends.
Diarrhea is common but usually can be controlled with over the counter medicines.
Or you may have radiotherapy to help control the symptoms of an advanced cancer.
They will explain the side effects you are likely to get and the possible long term effects.
Learn more about possible side effects.
The side effects of radiation therapy may include fatigue diarrhea urinary problems and vaginal scarring or dryness.
These side effects vary from person to person.
Side effects tend to start a few days after the radiotherapy begins.
Doctors often give both brachytherapy and external radiotherapy for womb cancer.
This gives a high dose of radiation to the top of the vagina but only a little to surrounding tissues.
But they usually begin to improve about 2 weeks after the end of treatment.
Radiation therapy has side effects because it not only kills or slows the growth of cancer cells it can also affect nearby healthy cells.
This means there are fewer side effects to other organs in the pelvis.
Side effects can include.
Radiation therapy may also be given as implants temporarily inserted into the vagina a procedure known as brachytherapy.
Side effects of internal radiotherapy.
Many people who get radiation therapy experience fatigue.
Side effects of external radiotherapy.
Doctors often give radiotherapy after surgery to reduce the risk of cancer coming back.
This information may help women and their clinicians more accurately weigh the potential benefits versus harms of adjuvant therapy said the trial s.