Lung cancer - RADIOTHERAPY side effects
Watch the video below to hear from Dr Clive Peedell, Consultant Clinical Oncologist at The James Cook Cancer Institute, who provides lots of useful information to help you prepare and manage any side effects.
Managing side effects after radiotherapy for lung cancer
Tiredness
- You may experience tiredness for a couple of months after treatment has finished
- Make sure you get plenty of rest and pace yourself
- Balance your rest with some physical activity, like going for a short walk
Sore skin
- Have a cool or warm shower rather than a bath
- Turn the shower spray away from the treated area
- Pat the area dry but do not rub
- Wear loose fitting clothing
- Avoid exposing the area to the sun for at least one year after treatment has finished
- Check with your care team before using any creams or lotions on your skin
Swallowing
- If you have difficulty swallowing, replace meals with nutritious high calorie drinks
- You may experience pain in your gullet, heartburn or indigestion. If so, contact your local care team and they will be able to prescribe medicines to reduce these symptoms
- Avoid spicy, salty or sharp foods
Late side effects
- You may develop a dry cough and breathlessness. If this happens, contact your care team as it may be a sign of lung inflammation and may require treatment
- You may experience continued difficulty with swallowing
- There is a small increase in the risk of heart problems if radiotherapy was delivered to the left side, causing tightness or pain in the chest
- Narrowing of the airways may occur on rare occasions. If you experience a dry cough and cough up a small amount of blood, consult you care team for further investigation
prostate cancer - RADIOTHERAPY side effects
Watch the video below to hear from Dr John Frew, Consultant Clinical Oncologist at The Northern Centre for Cancer Care, who provides lots of useful information to help you prepare and manage any side effects.
Managing side effects after radiotherapy for prostate cancer
Tiredness
- This can develop 3 to 4 weeks after treatment starts and may peak a few weeks after treatment finishes, but may also last longer
- Get plenty of rest, balanced with regular short walks
Bladder effects
- You may need to pass urine more frequently
- You may have a burning feeling or urgency
- Drink regular fluids but avoid caffeine & alcohol
Bowel effects
- You may experience some rectal irritation
- You may get diarrhoea, wind, tummy cramps and bleeding
- Drinking fluids can help but avoid caffeine and alcohol
- You may be advised to make changes to your diet, such as eating less fibre
Skin effects
- The skin in the treatment area may become moist, sore and itchy
- Your care team can prescribe cream, dressings and pain killers
- Pubic hair may fall out, but it will grow back after treatment is finished
Sexual function
- Hormone therapy can reduce sex drive and the ability to form meaningful erections
- This can be a short- or long-term problem
- Help is available through your GP or specialist clinics
Late effects
- A minority of people may continue to experience issues with passing urine including increased frequency, urgency, night-time waking, blood in the urine, leakage and incontinence. Narrowing of the urethra can also cause a weak stream or difficulty urinating.
- You may experience bowel changes including loose and frequent bowel movements, rectal inflammation, bleeding, mucus discharge or urgency.
- You may continue to experience pelvic pain and fatigue
- Radiotherapy to the pelvis can narrow the blood vessels to the penis which can permanently affect your ability to get or keep an erection.
- Expert bowel and urology doctors are available to help manage these symptoms
Freeman Hospital, Freeman Rd, Newcastle Upon Tyne, England NE7 7DN, United Kingdom.