Read article Testicular cancer radiotherapy side effects
This page is about possible side effects of radiotherapy for testicular cancer. There is information about
Testicular cancer radiotherapy side effects
Radiotherapy causes tiredness and sometimes skin reddening in the area being treated. Tiredness will come on during your course of treatment. It will continue for a week or so after your treatment has finished and then gradually get better. Skin may become red and sore, a bit like mild sunburn. But this is uncommon. Other radiotherapy side effects vary depending on the part of the body being treated.
Most men with testicular cancer having radiotherapy will have their abdomen treated. This can cause sickness and diarrhoea. These side effects are usually mild. You may not have them at all.
Sickness
Sickness can be treated with tablets. If you feel sick, tell your radiotherapy doctor or nurse or your radiographer. You should also tell them if you still have sickness, despite the tablets. You can try another type of anti sickness tablet.
Diarrhoea
Diarrhoea can also be helped with medicine to slow down your bowel. You can help by eating a low fibre diet. Most radiotherapy departments will be able to give you leaflets to help you with this. If you are having frequent diarrhoea, it is important to drink plenty.
You can view and print the quick guides for all the pages in the treating testicular cancer section.
Radiotherapy causes tiredness, and hairloss and occasionally skin reddening in the area being treated. But how much you are affected will depend on how much treatment you are having and does vary from person to person. Tiredness will come on during your course of treatment. It will continue for a week or so after your treatment has finished and then gradually get better.
In some men, the skin in the area where you have had treatment can become red and sore, a bit like mild sunburn. But this is not usually too bad with radiotherapy for testicular cancer, particularly if you only need radiotherapy for two weeks.
Most men with testicular cancer having radiotherapy will have their abdomen treated. This can cause
These side effects are usually mild. You may not have them at all.
Sickness can be treated with tablets. If you feel sick, tell your doctor, radiographer or radiotherapy nurse. Your doctor can give you anti sickness tablets to take every day before your treatment. Tell them if you still have sickness, despite the tablets. You can try another type of anti sickness tablet. Some work better for some people than others.
If you don't feel like eating, you could try a high calorie food supplement drink. You can get these at most chemists. Or you can get them on prescription - ask your doctor. If you are having real problems with your diet, ask to see a dietician at the hospital where you are being treated.
Diarrhoea can also be helped with medicine to slow down your bowel. You can help by eating a low fibre diet. This means not eating all the high fibre foods we are always told are so good for us! Most radiotherapy departments will be able to give you leaflets to help you with this. You should try to cut out
- Whole grain cereals
- Wholemeal bread
- Bran
- Dried fruit
- Cabbage
Cut down on
- Fruit juice
- Fresh fruit
- Other vegetables
You can eat bananas - they may actually help. You can go back to your healthy diet after the treatment is over. If you are having frequent diarrhoea, it is important to drink plenty.
External radiotherapy does not make you radioactive. It is perfectly safe to be with children and pregnant women during your treatment. Other radiotherapy side effects vary depending on the part of the body being treated. There is general information about side effects in our main section on radiotherapy.
Rated 5 out of 5 based on 2 votes
- Share this: Tweet
-
-
- Print this page
-
Email this page
Increase text size
Decrease text size
Print page
Print basket
Save pages here and print in one go
Nurse helpline
Questions about cancer? Call freephone
0808 800 4040
or email us
