Non-Radio Notes: Radiotherapy

Side effects of Radiotherapy: (General)

Acute:
- Anorexia
- Nausea
- Malaise
- Mucositis (Esophagitis, Diarrhoea)
- Alopecia
- Skin erythema, desquamation
- Myelosuppression
- Demyelination (nerve)
- Somnolence

Late:
- Skin: Ischaemia, Ulceration, Atrophy, Contraction, Fibrosis, Telangiectasia
- Bone: Necrosis, Fracture, Growth arrest
- Mouth: Xerostomia, Sialitis, Ulceration
- Bowel: Stenosis, Fistula, Diarrhoea
- Bladder: Cystitis
- Vagina: Dyspareunia, Stenosis
- Lung: Fibrosis, Radiation pneumonitis
- Heart: Pericardial fibrosis, Cardiomyopathy, Conduction blocks
- CNS: Myelopathy, radiation necrosis, telangiectasia, focal hemorrhage
- Kidney: Radiation nephropathy (proteinuria, hypertension)
- Gonads: Infertility, Menopause

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Factors to side effects of Radiotherapy:
- Tissue sensitivity
- Fraction size
- Treatment volume
- Enhanced by radiation sensitising agent: Bleomycin, Actinomycin, Anthracyclines, Cisplatin, 5-FU

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Side effects of Brain Radiotherapy:

Acute:
- Temporary alopecia
- Dermatitis
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Lethargy

Long term:
- Permanent alopecia
- Decreased memory power
- Ataxia
- Cognitive impairment

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