Long Term Side Effects Of Radiation Therapy For Breast Cancer

Long term side effects can include.

Long term side effects of radiation therapy for breast cancer.

Radiation therapy may cause long term changes in the breast. The most common cancers linked to radiation therapy are sarcomas cancers of the connective tissue. The skin may be more or less sensitive and feel thicker and firmer than it was before treatment. In rare cases radiation therapy to the breast can cause a second cancer.

They may include a slight darkening of your skin enlarged pores on your breast more or less sensitive skin thickening of breast tissue. For women who are long term smokers radiation therapy may also increase the risk of lung cancer. Radiation therapy and risk of a second cancer. Long term changes to the breast.

Many people who get radiation therapy experience fatigue. If your doctor recommends radiation there is a chance you will experience both short term and long term side effects as with any treatment. This may include surgery like a lumpectomy or mastectomy hormone therapy chemo therapy or radiation also called radiotherapy. Long term side effects can last beyond a year after treatment.

Long term side effects occur months or years after treatment has ended. Learn more about possible side effects. Concern over long term side effects of radiation therapy is becoming more common as survival rates improve. Just as there can be long term side effects of chemotherapy radiation therapy may result in side effects that may begin and linger far after treatment has been completed these can include heart problems lung problems thyroid problems secondary cancers and more but it s important.

Your skin may be slightly darker and pores may be larger and more noticeable. Radiation therapy has side effects because it not only kills or slows the growth of cancer cells it can also affect nearby healthy cells.