What happens after radiation for cancer?

When the damaged cells die, they are broken down and removed by the body. Radiation therapy does not kill cancer cells right away. It takes days or weeks of treatment before DNA is damaged enough for cancer cells to die. Then, cancer cells keep dying for weeks or months after radiation therapy ends.

What are long term side effects of radiation?

What are the most common long-term side effects of radiation?

Cataracts.
Hair loss.
Hearing loss.
Memory loss (“It’s hard to determine how much memory loss or cognitive dysfunction is related to a tumor and how much is related to radiotherapy,” says Dr. Nowlan.

What is radiation and how does it cause cancer?

High-energy radiation, such as x-rays, gamma rays, alpha particles, beta particles, and neutrons, can damage DNA and cause cancer. These forms of radiation can be released in accidents at nuclear power plants and when atomic weapons are made, tested, or used.

Can radiation cure or cause cancer?

Radiation therapy is used to treat cancer and ease cancer symptoms. When used to treat cancer, radiation therapy can cure cancer, prevent it from returning , or stop or slow its growth . When treatments are used to ease symptoms, they are known as palliative treatments.

What are the long – term effects of radiation?

Long-term side effects of radiation can include. persistent dry mouth/throat. swallowing dysfunction. increased risk of cavities or complications after dental procedures. stiffness or tanning of irradiated tissues. spinal cord or nerve damage – very rare. low thyroid.

How long does it take to recover from radiation treatment?

The general effects of radiation therapy like fatigue, nausea, and headaches resolve fairly quickly after treatment. Your body just needs time to process the radiation but can recover within a few weeks.

What happens after radiation for cancer? When the damaged cells die, they are broken down and removed by the body. Radiation therapy does not kill cancer cells right away. It takes days or weeks of treatment before DNA is damaged enough for cancer cells to die. Then, cancer cells keep dying for weeks or months…