Side Effects Of Radiotherapy On Lymph Nodes

Side effects and management of radiotherapy to the groin.

Side effects of radiotherapy on lymph nodes.

They are called late effects. Radiotherapy to the breast may cause side effects that happen months or years after radiotherapy. Being overweight also increases the risk of lymphedema. Below are the most common side effects of radiation therapy to your lymph nodes.

Radiation therapy has side effects because it not only kills or slows the growth of cancer cells it can also affect nearby healthy cells. Seattle cancer survivor cindy alsobrook 42 developed lymphedema in her left leg shortly after she finished surgery chemo and radiation for cervical cancer in december 2013. Because the radiation therapy is administered to the pelvis though there are certain side effects that are common among these patients. Learn more about lymphedema.

This is a swelling caused by a build up of lymph fluid in the tissues which can occur as a result of damage to the lymph system during surgery or radiotherapy to the lymph nodes in the groin. Many people who get radiation therapy experience fatigue. Learn more about possible side effects. Still women in the nodal radiation group were more likely to have side effects.

Generally for women with four or more positive lymph nodes radiation to the supraclavicular lymph nodes often is recommended. If you are worried about late effects talk to your cancer doctor or specialist nurse. Nausea is rare with radiation therapy to the breast. The leg on the treated side swells and feels heavy and.

You may have all some or none of these. Radiation therapy to the pelvis is commonly used to treat women with lower gastrointestinal tract cancers as well as gynecologic cancers such as cervical cancer ovarian cancer and uterine cancer. Lymphoedema usually occurs in an arm or leg but can also affect other parts of the body. I had surgery to remove my ovaries and fallopian tubes and they took 32 lymph nodes because they were looking cancery she said.

Other side effects depend on the part of the body that is being treated. Radiation therapy to the axillary or supraclavicular above the collarbone lymph nodes. Rare short term side effects nausea and hair loss. And if the cancer is in the central to inner area of the breast then radiation also may be recommended to the internal mammary.

You won t lose the hair on your head. Skin and hair reactions during radiation therapy the skin and hair in the treatment area may change. Your nurse will talk with you about the side effects you re most likely to have. Radiation can sometimes damage nearby lymph nodes leading to a buildup of lymph fluid.

Rare side effects nausea. Radiation can cause nausea but this side effect is extremely rare.