What are the side effects of internal radiation?

Possible Complications

• Feeling very tired.
• Skin changes such as redness and irritation.
• Reduced white blood cell count.
• Hair loss.
• Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
• Lack of hunger.

What are the long-term side effects of radiation therapy for breast cancer?

Long-term side effects can include:

• Breast changes: The breasts may shrink or become more dense after radiation.
• Brachial plexopathy: Radiation to the breast or chest wall can sometimes damage the nerves that run through the arm, wrist, and hand.
• Lymphedema: Lymphedema is swelling of the arm, hand, or chest.

Is internal radiotherapy safe?

You are not radioactive. For some types of brachytherapy, the implants are not removed (for example, permanent seed implants or SIRT – see below). The radiation from each implant is absorbed by the area of the body closest to it. It is safe for you to be around most other people.

How often is internal radiation given for breast cancer?

Treatments are usually performed as outpatient procedures using high dose radiation twice daily for 5 days. Each treatment will last about an hour, and you will be able to leave the hospital after each one.

How long do side effects last after brachytherapy?

Side effects of internal radiotherapy (brachytherapy) tend to happen about 1 to 2 weeks after treatment. They are usually mild and last for a few days or weeks. Everyone is different and the side effects vary from person to person. You may not have all of the effects mentioned.

Does brachytherapy cause fatigue?

Brachytherapy can make you feel very tired and physically weak. This is called fatigue. It is not like usual tiredness – you may feel exhausted after doing nothing. This is simply your body responding to the treatment, as it tries to repair any healthy cells the brachytherapy has damaged.

Can brachytherapy cause bowel problems?

Radiotherapy for prostate cancer (external beam radiotherapy and brachytherapy) can cause bowel problems for some men. Radiation can cause the lining of the bowel to become inflamed (proctitis) which then leads to symptoms such as: loose and watery bowel movements (diarrhoea) passing more wind than usual.

What are the side effects of radiation to breast?

Nausea: Radiation can cause nausea,but this side effect is uncommon.