What Are The Side Effects Of Radiation Therapy?

Skin Problems

It is common for radiation therapy patients to experience skin problems. External radiation therapy typically causes skin problems to occur due to the mechanism of the treatment. The high energy beams of radiation or particles have to pass through the patient's skin to reach the tissues underneath it. These skin issues occur because radiation therapy causes damage to the cells that make up the skin tissue it passes through. This mechanism is similar to a sunburn. However, it has been described as more painful and concentrated only on the skin above the treated area.

It is common to see the skin become red, itchy, and dry in some cases due to radiation therapy. The skin may appear swollen, and blisters may form in some patients who have more sensitive skin than others. The skin may also become darker in the area, similar to how an individual's skin tans when exposed to the sun. Reactions that occur on a patient's skin due to radiation therapy typically resolve within a month following the final treatment session.

Continue to reveal more radiation therapy side effects now.