Radiation Therapy

In radiation therapy, radiation is directed at the parts of the body with cancer so the cells are unable to grow and divide. While all cells are affected by radiation, most normal cells can usually recover. People with cancer often receive radiation treatments 5 days a week for 2 to 9 weeks. The type of side effects the therapy may cause depends on the area of the body receiving radiation, the size of area being treated, the total dose of radiation, and the number of treatments. The following chart shows possible eating-related side effects of radiation, according to the area of body being treated. Some of these side effects can occur during treatment while others may not occur until some time after treatment.

Side effects typically start around the second or third week of treatment and peak about two-thirds of the way through treatment. After radiation therapy ends, most side effects last 2 to 3 more weeks, although some may last longer. If side effects develop, ask your doctor, nurse, or other health care professional whether medicines, a change in diet, or some other suggestion can help you manage the side effects.