Radiation therapy is a method of using light beams to break up cancerous tumors. Radiation is provided by an oncology team consisting of the physician, a physicist, or the person in charge of equipment, a dosimetrist, or the person in charge of delivering the radiation, and a radiation therapy technician, who operates the machinery and moves the patient into position for treatment. The American Cancer Society also sates that a radiation therapy nurse is available to answer any patient questions and to assist with managing side effects during the treatment procedure.
Skin Irritation & Burns
Radiation can cause the skin surface at the treated area to become irritated, red, swollen and tender to the touch. National Cancer Institute suggests that irritation and burns can also lead to the sensation of being mildly to severely sunburned, leaving the skin itching and relieved when scratched. However, scratching often irritates the skin further creating infection and breakdown of the surrounding skin that has not had an opportunity to regenerate yet. This can last for a few weeks into treatment and for several weeks to months following.
Skin Peeling & Ulcers
Much like a sunburn, the treated skin can begin to peel off developing into open sores and ulcers. The skin, according to National Cancer Institute, remains in a constantly wet and potentially infectious state and does not heal quickly. The skin must be treated with gentle cleaning to avoid further ulceration while precautions to avoid infectious agents and bacteria should be taken. Light, loose clothing made from breathable cotton fabrics should be worn to protect the skin from airborne bacteria and damage from exposure to sunlight. Radiation therapy teams will also provide a list of topical products that should be avoided until the skin has an opportunity to dry and heal.
Hair Loss
Hair loss is a common effect that occurs at the site of radiation treatment. According to the American Cancer Society, unlike chemotherapy where all hair is typically lost on the body, radiation treatment does not have this effect. Instead, radiation therapy can cause hair loss only where the beam is aimed and surrounding areas. This hair loss is generally temporary and regrowth can occur as soon as treatment is finished. Some individuals will notice a slight change in texture or thickness in contrast to how the hair looked prior to radiation therapy.
