Acute effects

The following list outlines common acute radiation toxicities associated with specific treatment sites:⁶⁹

Site	Common acute physical effects
Brain	alopecia and scalp erythema ear and external auditory canal cerebral oedema nausea and vomiting somnolence syndrome.
Eye	conjunctival oedema and tearing.
Head and neck	oral mucositis oral candidiasis oral herpes xerostomia oesophagitis and pharyngitis taste changes (dysguesia, ageusia) laryngitis dental caries.
Breast	skin reactions oesophagitis.
Chest and lung	oesophagitis and pharyngitis taste changes pneumonitis.
Abdomen and pelvis	nausea and vomiting diarrhoea and proctitis cystitis vaginal dryness.

Learning activities

Explain why some tissues are more prone to radiation effects than others.

Discuss similarities and differences in the management of nausea and vomiting associated with radiotherapy from that associated with chemotherapy.

Managing acute treatment related effects

Individuals receiving radiation treatment often have multiple and complex care requirements and supportive interventions are required to maximise well-being and quality of life. Common effects specifically associated with radiotherapy include:

fatigue
radiation enteritis
radiation skin reactions
sexual dysfunction
mucositis.

Next: Fatigue

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Learning activities

Managing acute treatment related effects