What are the short term side effects of radiation therapy?
The short term side effects of radiation therapy are a sunburn-like reaction in the area that was irradiated. The irradiated area may be pink, irritated, or itchy. There may be moist desquamation in a small area under the arm and under the breast. Moist desquamation is a condition whereby the skin sheds and becomes moist because the area under the arm and breast is moisture-producing. These side effects will occur in the third week of radiation and will last for the duration of treatment. Constitutional side effects include mild appetite suppression, and mild fatigue, usually occurring in the 2nd or 3rd week and lasting until the end of treatment or possibly a few weeks or months beyond in some patients. Most patients are able to continue to work while being treated. Approximately 1-3% of patients may get radiation pneumonitis which is an inflammation of the lining of the lungs. It is successfully treated with steroids such as cortisone. If the lymph nodes are not irradiated there is l
