Treatment - Site Specific

The information below is not a comprehensive list of all the possible side effects that you may experience.  For more detailed information, please refer to the information sheet specific to your treatment site given to you by your oncologist at the time of your first consultation.  If you wish to have another copy or did not receive this information, please ask a member of your treatment team and they will reprint the information for you.

Breast

It is recommended that you avoid wearing under wire bras.  If a reaction is starting underneath the breast, it may be suggested that you minimise bra usage and try to get as much air to the area as possible.  (e.g. lie on bed with arm up and area exposed or lift breast and fan area underneath).

If you were given a physical therapy program to follow after your surgery, it is important that you continue with it while you are on treatment.   If you develop a sore or stiff shoulder during the course of treatment, please inform a member of the treatment team and they can arrange for a physical therapy referral if necessary.

Head & Neck

An appointment will be made for you to see a dietician near the beginning of treatment to discuss management of the following side effects should they occur:

• sore mouth and/or throat
• difficulty swallowing
• dry mouth
• loss of appetite
• alterations in sense of smell and taste
• ill fitting dentures or dental caries
• loss of facial hair within the treatment area.

Avoid the following to help minimise these problems:

• alcohol
• smoking
• very hot or very cold foods
• sticky, sugary foods
• foods with a high acid level
  (e.g. grapefruit, tomatoes, oranges)
• dry foods  (e.g. toast, crackers)
• spicy foods.

If at any stage you are having difficulty eating or drinking, or you are suffering from a loss of appetite, please inform a member of the treatment team.

It is important that you follow the dental and mouth care as recommended by your oncologist.

Thorax & Upper GI Tract

e.g. Lung or Oesophagus

• Increased cough, sometimes with greater sputum production or blood streaking
• Difficulty or pain when swallowing
• Hair loss within the radiation field.

Lower GI Tract

e.g. Rectum

• Bladder irritation
• Bowel changes (i.e. diarrhoea, cramping).

Please have a comfortably full bladder each day for treatment.

Prostate

• Bladder irritation
• Bowel changes (i.e. diarrhoea, cramping).

Please follow the Bowel & Bladder Preparation Instructions, given to you by your oncologist.  The aim of this is to have a full bladder and empty rectum for treatment each day.  Please let your treatment team know if you experience any of these changes.

Bladder

• Bladder irritation
• Bowel changes (i.e. diarrhoea, cramping).

Please have an empty bladder each day for treatment.
Please let your treatment team know if you experience any of these changes.

Abdomen

You may experience nausea and vomiting.  Advice is available on how to modify your diet to help with this.  Your radiation oncologist may also prescribe medication to ease these discomforts.

Depending on the exact area being treated, you may also experience diarrhoea and/or cramping.  Please let your treatment team know if you experience any of these changes.

Central Nervous System

e.g. brain, spinal cord

• Hair loss, specific to the area being treated.
• Headaches
• Nausea/vomiting.

Medication will be prescribed to help combat the headaches and nausea. Please keep your treatment team informed about how you are feeling.

Gynaecological

• Bladder irritation
• Bowel changes (i.e. diarrhoea, cramping)
• Vaginal discharge.

Please have a comfortably full bladder each day for treatment. Keep your treatment team informed about how you are feeling.

You will have a separate information session to discuss side effects related to radiation therapy for gynaecological cancers.  You are welcome to bring your partner with you to this session.

Palliative/Bone/Short Course

Any other side effects you may experience will be dependent on the exact area you are having treated.

If you are receiving radiation for bone pain, it may take a few days before you notice any relief.  The pain may actually get worse before it gets better; therefore it is important that you have adequate pain relief medication available.