Normal tissue and organ radiosensitivity. Early and late radiation reactions.
Radiosensitivity
In essence, those cells that divide quickly are more susceptible to radiology. It is also worth noting that radiotherapy of the oral cavity can cause long term irreparable damage to the salivary glands and leave patients with chronic dry mouth.
Early and late radiation reactions
Acute effects
- Nausea and vomiting (associated with treatment of stomach or abdomen), treat with antiemetics
- Damage to epithelial surfaces (including skin, oral mucosa, pharyngeal and bowel mucosa
- Mouth, throat and stomach sores and ulceration
- Intestinal discomfort
- Swelling
- Infertility
Late side effect
- Fibrosis
- Epilation (hair loss)
- Dryness (of salivary glands and tear ducts)
- Lymphedema (localised fluid retention and tissue swelling due to lymphatic damage)
- Cancer
- Cardiovascular disease (due to cardiotoxicity)
- Cognitive decline
- Radiation enteropathy
- Radiation-induced polyneuropathy