Radiotherapy
Radiation therapy destroys tumor cells. These cells can no longer divide, causing the tumor to shrink and eventually disappear. Radiation therapy is also called radiotherapy. Radiation therapy can be administered at multiple sites, and the specific location can affect the risk of late effects.
Radiation (radiotherapy) is a treatment using radiation that is directed very precisely at the tumor. This damages the DNA in the tumor cells, preventing them from dividing. Radiation also damages healthy cells around the tumor. That is why radiation is given in small doses spread over several days. This allows healthy cells to recover. If radiation is part of an allogeneic stem cell transplantation, the entire body is irradiated. When the whole body is irradiated, this is called total body irradiation (TBI). Here you can find detailed information about radiation therapy.
Radiation cannot be seen, smelled, or felt. Depending on the location of the tumor, radiation can be given to various parts of the body. Below is a list of possible areas and the potential increased risk of late effects.
Radiation – general
Radiation with radioactive iodine to the thyroid can lead to slightly reduced fertility.
Radiation to the major blood vessels or an area that includes major blood vessels may increase certain vascular risks.
Radiation in which the kidneys, heart, and/or major blood vessels were within the radiation field (including TBI) may increase the risk of high blood pressure.
Radiation in which the torso, pelvis, or spine was within the radiation field may increase the risk of spinal problems.
Radiation to the chest
Radiation to the chest or upper abdomen, when the breast area is included, may increase the risk of breast cancer (at 10 Gy or more) and lung problems.
Radiation to the heart and/or major blood vessels, or to an area that includes the heart and/or major blood vessels, may increase the risk of high blood pressure.
Radiation to the heart or an area that includes the heart may increase the risk of cardiomyopathy, heart rhythm disorders, pericarditis, or heart valve disease (at 15 Gy or more).
Radiation to the lungs or an area that includes the lungs may increase the risk of lung cancer.
Radiation to the pelvic area
Any dose of radiation to the pelvis or an area that includes the pelvis can cause sexual problems.
Radiation to the testicles or an area that includes the testicles can affect fertility.
Radiation (12 Gy or more) to the testicles or an area that includes the testicles can cause testosterone deficiency.
Radiation to the abdominal area
Radiation to the pancreas or an area that includes the pancreas may increase the risk of impaired glucose metabolism and diabetes.
Radiation to the uterus or an area that includes the uterus may cause pregnancy complications.
Radiation to the bladder or an area that includes the bladder may cause urinary tract problems and increase the risk of bladder cancer.
Radiation to the colon and rectum or an area that includes the colon and rectum may increase the risk of colorectal cancer.
Radiation to the ovaries or an area that includes the ovaries may increase the risk of early menopause.
Radiation to the liver or an area that includes the liver may increase the risk of liver problems.
Radiation to the spleen or an area that includes the spleen may increase the risk of spleen problems.
Radiation to the kidneys or an area that includes the kidneys may increase the risk of high blood pressure.
Radiation to the gastrointestinal tract or an area that includes the gastrointestinal tract may cause digestive problems.
Radiation to the head
Radiation to an area that includes the jaw, mouth, and/or salivary glands may cause dry mouth, cavities, inflamed gums, loss of taste, growth problems of the jaw and teeth, jaw stiffness (the mouth cannot fully open), and reduced support of the tooth roots in the jaw.
Radiation to the hypothalamic-pituitary (HP) axis or an area that includes the HP axis may cause hormonal problems.
Radiation to the HP axis or an area that includes the HP axis may increase the risk of early puberty.
Radiation to the brain or an area that includes the brain may contribute to the development of cognitive problems.
Radiation to the pituitary gland may lead to reduced fertility.
Radiation to the oral cavity, including TBI, regardless of dose, may increase the risk of oral cancer.
Radiation (at any dose) to the eye socket(s) or an area that includes the eye may increase the risk of eye problems.
Radiation to the head (30 Gy or more) may damage the middle ear and the auditory nerve.
Radiation to the head, brain, or neck, or an area that includes the head, brain, or neck, may cause a stroke.
Radiation to the neck
Radiation to the neck or an area that includes the neck (including the thyroid gland) may increase the risk of thyroid problems.