Experiences with Radiation
Radiation therapy is one of the most common drug treatments that uses high-energy particles or waves to destroy fast-spreading cancer cells. Radiation therapy is often used with other forms of treatment. Radiation therapy is given in two ways: external beam radiation therapy and internal radiation therapy. Common side effects for radiation therapy include fatigue, skin changes, and loss of appetite. Some patients experience no side effects; side effects depend on diagnosis, stage, where you get the radiation, and your body. Because everyone’s body is so different, what you’re really wondering is - ‘How will my body react to radiation therapy?’.
One of the first rules of undergoing radiation therapy treatment is to keep your doctor informed about every side effect. Some of the side effects may be normal, but it is important to pay attention to any rare side effects. WhatNexters have shared that they have been fatigued, had to change their diet, nausea, mouth sores, and some have had very little side effects. Radiation therapy may seem like a shot in the dark. The side effects are hard to pinpoint, and you may not know what you’re dealing with until you get right in the middle of treatment. The best insights on radiation therapy come from all the members that have been through it themselves. Search what others have experienced, post your questions, and get firsthand insights on what you may be able to expect with your specific radiation therapy.
Don't forget to view our Beginner's Guide to Cancer.
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- MammaC
- Experience with Ductal carcinoma in sit...
External radiation
Radiation
Thought I was gonna have zero side effects, my skin is tough, I'm tough, I rarely have side effects from anything. All that changed ...
Painless Experience: Neutral/NA Minimal Side Effects: Neutral/NA Minimal Impact to Daily Life: Neutral/NA -
- stellwat
- Experience with Ductal carcinoma in s...
External radiation
Radiation
I will be finishing my treatment on Tuesday 3/24/2014 to this day I have been bless to not have any major problems,no blistering no ...
Painless Experience: Agree Minimal Side Effects: Agree Minimal Impact to Daily Life: Agree -
- just_call_me_De
- Experience with Invasive (Infi...
External radiation
Radiation
Began radiation this week. Two treatments so far. Didn't feel a thing. So far, so good! Disappointed in the impact this treatment h...
Painless Experience: Agree Minimal Side Effects: Agree Minimal Impact to Daily Life: Strongly Disagree -
- MImi66
- Experience with Invasive (Infiltrating)...
External radiation
Radiation
Had minimal effect until day 21 and then lost distance vision, sick, dehydrated, bad skin burn on breast, nipple, neck and back. No...
Painless Experience: Agree Minimal Side Effects: Strongly Disagree Minimal Impact to Daily Life: Strongly Disagree -
- melanoma1942
- Experience with Skin Cancer - Mel...
External radiation
Radiation
the fatigue and burning/blistering was uncomfortable.
Painless Experience: Agree Minimal Side Effects: Disagree Minimal Impact to Daily Life: Disagree -
- jecika
- Experience with Breast Cancer
External radiation
Radiation
due to the radiation i wasnt able to get reconstruction. the radiation just thinned my skin so bad.
Painless Experience: Strongly Disagree Minimal Side Effects: Neutral/NA Minimal Impact to Daily Life: Strongly Disagree -
- Tanseyj
- Experience with Adenocarcinoma, Esopha...
External radiation
Radiation
28 Treatments!
Painless Experience: Strongly Agree Minimal Side Effects: Strongly Agree Minimal Impact to Daily Life: Strongly Agree -
- cassidy2
- Experience with Breast Cancer
External radiation
Radiation
Will begin first treatment this week
Painless Experience: Neutral/NA Minimal Side Effects: Neutral/NA Minimal Impact to Daily Life: Neutral/NA -
- newlife56
- Experience with Head & Neck/Throat C...
External radiation
Radiation
Start 03/16/15
Painless Experience: Not Specified Minimal Side Effects: Not Specified Minimal Impact to Daily Life: Not Specified -
- Hlara15
- Experience with Stomach Cancer
Internal radiation
Radiation
Absolute worse feeling after my surgery was while undergoing Radiation treatment. Was sick 24/7 with an indescribable internal pain....
Painless Experience: Strongly Disagree Minimal Side Effects: Strongly Disagree Minimal Impact to Daily Life: Strongly Disagree -
- np33
- Experience with Nasopharyngeal Cancer
External radiation
Radiation
35 hits -7 weeks of treatment.
Painless Experience: Neutral/NA Minimal Side Effects: Neutral/NA Minimal Impact to Daily Life: Agree -
- Chriso
- Experience with Renal Cell Carcinoma
External radiation
Radiation
35 days pelvic radiation following hysterectomy and oopherectomy resulting from metastases. No side effects at time of therapy but t...
Painless Experience: Strongly Agree Minimal Side Effects: Neutral/NA Minimal Impact to Daily Life: Agree