The common side effects of radiation therapy can be divided into generalized (systemic) and localized effects. What the effects are and how severe they become generally depend on the area treated, the size of the radiation port, the daily dose rate and the total dosage delivered.
Not everyone who has radiation therapy suffers side effects. Many people go through treatment experiencing only minimal effects or none at all. But for some people, the side effects can be significant and uncomfortable.
Systemic Effects One of the most common systemic side effects is fatigue or malaise . This is especially common among patients receiving treatments to large areas, such as the whole abdomen or total lymph node radiation.
A lot of people associate nausea and vomiting with x-ray treatments, but both these symptoms are unusual in radiotherapy patients. Again, it depends on the area being treated. Nausea and vomiting may occur in patients receiving radiation to the upper abdomen, but it is rare in patients getting radiation to the head and neck, chest or pelvis. Even when you are receiving treatment to the abdomen, nausea and vomiting can usually be controlled by adjusting the dosage, changing the diet or using antinausea medications.
