Department of Radiotherapy ❯ Cancer Sites ❯ FAQ

Is radiotherapy treatment painful?
Not really. Most patients have no sensation of radiation when the machine is delivering the daily treatment. Over time, the skin in the area being treated will gradually become dry, sore, itchy, or burning. These feelings can be uncomfortable, but usually not enough for a person to stop or interrupt their treatment.

Will radiotherapy cause me to be radioactive after treatment?
If you undergo external beam radiation therapy, you are NOT radioactive and do not need to take special precautions to protect others from radiation. The radiation you receive delivers its dose to your tissues within an instant — there is no lingering radiation once the treatment machine is turned off.

If you receive internal radiation (brachytherapy) treatment, you will be radioactive while the radioactive source is inside of you. Once the source is removed, there is no radioactivity in your body.

Will radiotherapy cause me to lose my hair?
It depends. Hair that is outside the treatment field will not be affected and you will not experience hair loss in those areas. Radiation is a localized treatment and side effects depend on the area of the body being treated. If there are hair follicles within the site of treatment, then you may experience hair loss in that area over the course of treatment. In general, your hair will eventually return 1-2 months after treatment.

Will radiotherapy cause nausea and/or vomiting?
It depends. Potential radiation induced side effects are dependent on the area being treated. In general, if the area being treated is the abdomen, then you may experience mild nausea and/or vomiting. Other areas of treatment are unlikely to elicit this response. In some cases patients might also be on chemotherapy or other medications. These drugs may also cause nausea and/or vomiting.

Can I take a long break during the course of treatment?
It is not recommended. The benefits of radiation strongly depend upon getting the full recommended dose without significant breaks.

These two elements of your treatment plan are vital because:

• The full dose of radiation is needed to get rid of cancer cells remaining after surgery
• Radiation therapy is most effective when given continuously. In general, it is given every day, 5 days a week, for 5 to 7 weeks

Will I see my doctor during the course of treatment?
You will be seeing your oncologist regularly during treatment where you can discuss any questions or concerns and best deal with any side effects. In addition, you will have follow up appointments with your doctor after the end of treatment. Follow-ups with your oncologist are important because you can be updated about your recovery progress.