Radiation

Side Effects of Radiation Therapy

Side effects of radiation include:

• Fatigue is very common and increases with subsequent treatments, but most women are able to continue with normal activities. Exercise may be helpful.
• Nausea and lack of appetite may develop and worsen as treatment progresses.
• Skin changes and burns can occur on the breast skin. Using a cream that contains a corticosteroid, such as mometasone furoate (MMF), may be helpful. After repeated sessions, the skin may become moist and "weepy." Exposing the treated skin to air as much as possible helps healing. (Washing the affected skin with soap and water does not seem to be harmful and in one study was associated with a lower risk for this side effect.)
• Uncommonly, the breast may change color, size, or become permanently firm.
• Rarely, the nearest arm may swell and develop impaired mobility or even paralysis.

Long-Term Complications

Future complications include:

• Radiation to the left breast may increase the long-term risk for developing heart disease and heart attacks.
• There is a very small risk (less than 1%) of lung irritation and scarring.
• Some studies have reported a higher risk for future cancer in the opposite breast in younger women who have been given radiation to the chest wall.
• Radiation therapy can increase the risk of developing other cancers, such as soft tissue malignancies known as sarcomas.

Current advanced imaging techniques use precise radiation that reduces exposure. These newer techniques are likely to reduce the risks for heart disease and other serious complications.