After receiving radiation therapy for uterine cancer, you may experience fertility challenges, vaginal dryness, and bowel or bladder problems. Options to manage and relieve your side effects can vary.
Radiation therapy may be used alone or in combination with other treatments to treat uterine cancer. Radiation therapy can also help ease cancer symptoms when an individual’s cancer is not curable.
Even when cancer treatment is successful, you may experience long-term side effects.
Understanding the side effects associated with radiation therapy may help you identify medications, lifestyle modifications, and complementary therapies that can help you cope.
Either
- External beam radiation therapy: The radiation is directed from an outside machine at a specific location on the body.
- Internal radiation therapy: This is done through a source of liquid or solid radiation placed inside the body.
The exact type of radiation therapy used will be
Some side effects may occur during radiation therapy or shortly after that.
Short-term side effects from the treatments will resolve quickly after radiation therapy is fully completed. Examples of common short-term effects from
- fatigue
- skin damage
- loss of appetite
- bladder irritation
Long-term side effects of radiation therapy for uterine cancer
Long-term side effects from radiation can vary greatly from person to person and may extend beyond the area where radiation was directly applied.
Common
- lymphedema
- vaginal dryness
- early menopause
- thinning of pelvic bones
- bowel and bladder issues
In some cases, individuals may experience a recurrence of cancer or a secondary form of primary cancer.
Treatment and management of long-term side effects from radiation therapy
Some side effects may linger for many months or years after radiation therapy and even cause lifelong health problems. These are considered long-term side effects.
In some cases, side effects may not appear until months or even years after you complete radiation therapy. These are known as late side effects.
It’s important to let your oncologist know when you’re experiencing symptoms, even if they don’t appear immediately following radiation. Examples of long or late-term side effects can include:
- bone loss
- brain changes
- tissue damage
- endocrine system changes
Your doctor may suggest medications or surgery to help with some side effects. Also, they can refer you to a physical or occupational therapist.
Doctors may also suggest lifestyle changes to your diet and exercise plan to ease symptoms from side effects.
If you’re experiencing long-term side effects from radiation for uterine cancer, modifications to your lifestyle may be helpful. These can include:
- staying well hydrated
- resting more frequently
- joining a cancer support group
- eating smaller meals more often
- getting moderate amounts of exercise
- moisturizing and protecting your skin
- avoiding alcohol and tobacco products
- taking recommended medications or vitamin and mineral supplements
If you undergo radiation therapy for uterine cancer, you may experience side effects that may be difficult to cope with. Short-term side effects, such as fatigue, may not last long. However, some side effects may linger or occur after surgery.
Long-term side effects from radiation to treat uterine cancer can include difficulty with fertility, bowel and bladder problems, and vaginal dryness.
Before undergoing radiation for uterine cancer, it’s important to speak with your doctor about potential short- and long-term side effects.
Your doctor can offer advice about lifestyle modifications, medications, and complementary therapies that can help with the side effects you experience.