What follow-up care is necessary after completing radiation treatment?
Follow-up care after radiation depends on the type of cancer treated, as well as the number of radiation sessions patients have undergone. Additional cancer treatment, rehabilitation, and counseling are all follow-up options, and regular physician visits are also important so that side effects can be monitored and any recurrent disease can be caught at an early stage. Although a radiation oncologist often participates in follow-up care, some patients are referred to their original doctor, a surgeon, or a medical oncologist for such visits. Patients should also monitor their own situation in the weeks following therapy by taking steps to avoid skin irritation in the treatment area and by contacting their doctors if they experience any of the following: persistent pain (especially in one area); new or unusual lumps, bumps, or swelling; nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or loss of appetite; unexplained weight loss; a fever or cough that won’t go away; unusual rashes, bruises, or bleeding; or an
