• Chest  Most patients receiving chest radiation will not have any local symptoms. But the esophagus, which
  carries food from the mouth to the stomach, passes through the chest and may develop a mucosal reaction
  similar to that described for the mouth. If this happens, you may develop heartburn-type symptoms, which
  can be relieved by taking liquid antacids such as Amphogel, Gelusil, Maalox, Mylanta or Riopan.
• Abdomen   The most significant side effects of radiation are associated with treatment to the abdomen. The
  larger the radiation port and the higher the dosage, the more likely you are to experience these effects.
      Radiation to the upper abdomen can cause nausea and vomiting, usually during the first few days of
  treatment. As the treatment progresses the symptoms often diminish.
      Treatment to the pelvis can be associated with cramps, perhaps followed by diarrhea during the second and
  third weeks of treatment. A low residue diet or antidiarrhea medications such as Lomotil, Imodium or
  Kaopectate will usually control the problem.
      Most patients getting radiation treatment to the pelvis do not develop any significant bladder problems. But
  it is not unusual to have to urinate often, to feel an urgency to urinate or to feel some pain when urinating.
  Fortunately, these symptoms are usually temporary and will go away soon after the treatment course is
  completed. In the meantime, medications such as Pyridium or Urispas will usually ease the problem
• Hair loss  Only hair within the radiation port will be affected by treatment. So you will lose scalp hair only if
  you are receiving radiation to your head, usually for tumors involving the brain. If the entire brain needs to be
  treated, the radiation can affect the entire scalp. But only a part of the scalp might be affected if a smaller