Side Effects Of Pancreatic Cancer Radiation

Radiation therapy side effects.

Side effects of pancreatic cancer radiation.

Getting radiation therapy is much like getting an x ray but the radiation is stronger. The goal is to destroy or damage the cancer without hurting too many healthy cells. For pancreatic cancer the treatment is targeted at the abdomen. Side effects may include tiredness.

The type of radiation most often used to treat pancreatic cancer known as external beam radiation therapy focuses radiation from a source outside of the body on the cancer. Learn more about possible side effects. Patients may feel some abdominal discomfort toward the end of the treatment series. Every day doctors learn more about how new treatments such as immunotherapies could help treat pancreatic cancer more effectively.

Radiation therapy can cause both short term side effects and late side effects which are mainly related to the area treated. Side effects of radiation therapy will depend mainly on the size of the area being treated the specific area or organs being treated the total dose of radiation and the treatment schedule. Mild skin redness is possible but not common in pancreatic cancer treatment. Radiation therapy treatments do not hurt during the procedure.

Other side effects depend on the part of the body that is being treated. Side effects of radiation therapy. Many people who get radiation therapy experience fatigue. Radiation therapy treats cancer by using high energy waves to kill tumor cells.

This treatment can cause side. Some common side effects of radiation therapy used for pancreatic cancer are. This can last up to several weeks post treatment also. Skin changes redness blistering or peeling nausea and vomiting.

The procedure itself is painless. Each treatment lasts only a few minutes although. Radiation therapy has side effects because it not only kills or slows the growth of cancer cells it can also affect nearby healthy cells. Both radiation therapy and chemotherapy damage some normal cells along with cancer cells.

Some of the most common side effects of radiation include the following. The most common side effects of radiation therapy for pancreatic cancer are.