Radiotherapy side effects

External radiotherapy

Despite being normally well tolerated, three weeks after external radiotherapy some temporary side effects can occur, such as:

  • Localized skin changes -discoloration or burns similar to those produced by excessive exposure to the sun,
  • Fatigue, 
  • Swelling and a feeling of heaviness on the breast.

These effects are temporary and result from damage caused to healthy cells during the treatment. However, normal cells recover fast, and patients quickly go back to feeling normal once the treatment finishes.

Your oncologist will be able to explain in more detail what specific side effects you can expect, and when. It is possible as well to get medication to alleviate the reactions, for example a cream for the skin burns.

In the section side effects you can find more information about these and other side effects.

next close
Know… the leaflets on the side effects of breast cancer therapies: how to manage problems, such as nausea and vomiting, or hair loss. (see)
Know… the interactive "familial history", allows the construction of a graphic with the history of breast cancer in your family. (see)
Know… more about cancer biology: what is a mutation and what promotes these changes in cells DNA? (see)
Know… What is a triple negative cancer? Drinking alcohol increases the risk of breast cancer? What is the anatomy of the breast? (see)
Know… what you know about familial breast cancer: complete our 7-question "expert " quiz. (see)
Know… more about sporadic breast cancer, and test your knowledge using our 7-question quiz. (see)
Know… the particularities of breast cancer in man: test your knowledge in our 7-question quiz (see)