Come across about long-term side effects of radiation therapy for breast cancer & what to expect. Get insights & advice from healthcare experts. Read more on Meri Sehat.

Side Effects Of Breast Cancer Treatment

Online Consultation

Iqra Mazhar

Overview

This year alone, new cases of breast cancer in US women total around 297,790 with nearly 43,170 deaths<a href="#accordion">[1]</a>. It&rsquo;s no wonder that researchers are committed to not only developing more effective treatments but also reducing their side effects. 
&nbsp;

1 in 7 women get breast cancer during their lifetime<a href="#accordion">[2]</a>. The condition affects men, too, though it&rsquo;s not as common. Men account for 1% of <a href="https://merisehat.pk/disease/breast-cancer">breast cancer cases</a> and deaths<a href="#accordion">[1]</a>.

Early detection and treatment allow a good chance of recovery. Most breast cancers are discovered at an early stage. Sometimes, breast cancer is discovered in women only after it&rsquo;s spread to other parts of the body through the blood, tissue, or lymph system. 
&nbsp;

There are many options to treat breast cancer, including surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, targeted drug therapy, and immunotherapy.

Doctors may choose one or a combination of these treatments depending on:

<ul>
	<li>The stage and grade of the tumor (size and how far it has spread)</li>
	<li>General health</li>
	<li>Preferences</li>
	<li>Whether the patient has experienced menopause 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Generally, cancer treatment aims to:

<ul>
	<li>Kill all the cancer cells and remove cancer from the body (primary treatment)</li>
	<li>Kill any cancer cells that remain after the primary treatment to reduce the chance of recurrence (adjuvant treatment)</li>
	<li>Relieve the symptoms caused by cancer itself or the side effects of cancer treatment (palliative treatment) 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

According to a survey, at least half of the women diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer had at least one severe or very severe side effect, with 5% of them visiting the emergency room because of it<a href="#accordion">[3]</a>.

Side effects of treatments include: 
&nbsp;

<ol>
	<li>
	<h5>Surgery</h5>
	</li>
</ol>

<ul>
	<li>Bleeding</li>
	<li>Reduced chest and shoulder mobility</li>
	<li>Fatigue due to the emotional toll and stress of the surgery</li>
	<li>Seroma, i.e., accumulation of fluid around the scar in the armpit</li>
	<li>Postoperative pain or tightness at the site of the tumor or lymph nodes</li>
	<li>Lymphedema, i.e., accumulation of lymph fluid causing discomfort and swelling 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

<ol start="2">
	<li>
	<h5>Radiotherapy</h5>
	</li>
</ol>

<ul>
	<li>Hair loss</li>
	<li>Loss of appetite</li>
	<li>Nausea and vomiting</li>
	<li>Swelling of the breast</li>
	<li>Tender or sensitive breast skin</li>
	<li>Mouth and throat sores and ulcers</li>
	<li>Difficulty moving the arm and shoulder</li>
	<li>Burn a bit of the lung, causing pneumonitis</li>
	<li>Fatigue that worsens with ongoing treatment</li>
	<li>Pain and burning at the site of radiation, usually the breast</li>
	<li>Excess fluid build-up due to blockage of lymph nodes under the arm</li>
	<li>Darkening or reddening of the skin in the treatment area, back, or shoulder 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

<ol start="3">
	<li>
	<h5>Chemotherapy</h5>
	</li>
</ol>

<ul>
	<li>Hair loss</li>
	<li>Tiredness</li>
	<li>Skin rashes</li>
	<li>Nail changes</li>
	<li>Mouth sores</li>
	<li>Losing weight</li>
	<li>Loss of appetite</li>
	<li>Nausea and vomiting</li>
	<li>Weakness and fatigue</li>
	<li>Diarrhea or constipation</li>
	<li>Pain, tingling, or numbness</li>
	<li>Bleeding and bruising easily</li>
	<li>Feelings of sadness, fear, and isolation</li>
	<li>Chemo brain, i.e., problems with cognitive function</li>
	<li>Increased risk of developing infections due to fewer white blood cells</li>
	<li>Disrupt estrogen production, causing the growth of some breast cancers</li>
	<li>Skipped periods as long as treatment continues; sometimes, causing early menopause in women over 40 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

<ol start="4">
	<li>
	<h5>Hormone Therapy</h5>
	</li>
</ol>

<ul>
	<li>Sweating</li>
	<li>Feeling sick</li>
	<li>Tiredness</li>
	<li>Hair loss</li>
	<li>Headaches</li>
	<li>Hot flushes</li>
	<li>Painful joints</li>
	<li>Muscle aches</li>
	<li>Mood changes</li>
	<li>Loss of appetite</li>
	<li>Loss of sex drive</li>
	<li>Nausea and vomiting</li>
	<li>Vaginal discharge or dryness</li>
	<li>Disrupting periods (if premenopausal) 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

<ol start="5">
	<li>
	<h5>Targeted Therapy And Immunotherapy</h5>
	</li>
</ol>

<ul>
	<li>Diarrhea</li>
	<li>Hair loss</li>
	<li>Tiredness</li>
	<li>Mouth soreness</li>
	<li>Loss of appetite</li>
	<li>Nausea and vomiting</li>
	<li>Low levels of blood cells</li>
	<li>Skin changes, such as an itchy rash</li>
	<li>Flu-like symptoms, like fever, runny nose, and dizziness 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Some treatments cause side effects that continue or appear months or years after the cancer treatment has ended. They are known as late effects. 
&nbsp;

In chemotherapy, late effects depend on the type of drug used. Generally, they include:

<ul>
	<li>Blood clots</li>
	<li>Heart failure</li>
	<li>Damage to the nerves</li>
	<li>Premature menopause</li>
	<li>Ringing in the ears or hearing loss</li>
	<li>Bone thinning conditions, e.g., osteoporosis</li>
	<li>Secondary cancer, like leukemia, in rare instances</li>
	<li>Infertility due to fewer eggs released for fertilization 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

In radiation therapy, late effects rarely occur. But may include:

<ul>
	<li>Telangiectasia</li>
	<li>Cough and breathlessness</li>
	<li>Second cancer, e.g., leukemia</li>
	<li>Nerve damage in the arm on the treated side</li>
	<li>Bone problems, increasing the risk of fractures</li>
	<li>Permanently tanned skin at the site of treatment</li>
	<li>Infertility due to damage to the uterus and ovaries</li>
	<li>Arm lymphedema, particularly when given post-lymph node dissection</li>
	<li>Changes in the feel, shape, and size of the breast, e.g., it feels hard and shrinks</li>
	<li>Inflammation of the lung after radiation therapy to the breast, particularly when given along with chemo</li>
	<li>Greater risk of breast cancer in the other breast after radiation therapy to the chest wall following mastectomy, particularly in women under 45 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

In targeted therapy, late effects include:

<ul>
	<li>Liver problems</li>
	<li>Hand-foot syndrome</li>
	<li>Heart problems like heart failure 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

In hormone therapy, late effects include:

<ul>
	<li>Weight gain</li>
	<li>Hair thinning</li>
	<li>Memory issues</li>
	<li>Mood swings and depression</li>
	<li>Severe diarrhea or constipation</li>
	<li>Infertility due to irregular menstrual cycle</li>
	<li>Increased risk of blood clots, uterine cancer, and cataracts in rare cases 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

understanding The Downside Of Breast Cancer Treatment

Inform a doctor if you or a loved one have side effects or any other health concerns. They may be able to reduce them. 
&nbsp;

It&rsquo;s an emergency in the case of:

<ul>
	<li>Persistent cough</li>
	<li>Temperature over 100.4 &deg;F</li>
	<li>Swollen or dry, scratchy throat</li>
	<li>New mouth sores, swollen tongue, or bleeding gums</li>
	<li>Changes in bladder functioning, including bloody urine</li>
	<li>Post-traumatic stress, including trouble sleeping and losing interest in daily activities</li>
	<li>Digestive issues, including nausea, heartburn, and diarrhea lasting longer than 2-3 days 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

These are not standard treatments for breast cancer. However, people may opt for yoga, meditation, and herbal vitamins, for instance, in addition to the standard treatments. Given that there is not much research regarding their benefits or how they may interact with therapy drugs, talk to a doctor before starting any kind of complementary or alternative medicine. 
&nbsp;

Note: Follow-up tests may be needed. Some of the tests that were used earlier to either diagnose or stage cancer may be repeated to evaluate how well the treatment is working. Doctors will use the results to decide whether to continue, modify, or stop the treatment. 
&nbsp;

Key Points

<ul>
	<li>Choosing the right treatment can be hard.</li>
	<li>A doctor can discuss the options available according to the type and stage of cancer.</li>
	<li>They will also explain the benefits and risks of each treatment, along with its side effects.</li>
	<li>Most of these treatments affect not only cancer cells but also healthy cells in the body.</li>
	<li>Most of the side effects are temporary and subside when the treatment is stopped. They can also be treated.</li>
	<li>However, some of them can be long-term or permanent.</li>
	<li>Progress in breast cancer treatment means more women have fewer side effects and live longer. 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>