What are the side effects of radiation therapy?

The side effects of radiation depend on the technique used. With external-beam and implant radiotherapy, possible side effects would include skin reddening and irritation, change in the skin or hair color in the area being treated (fig.1)

Figure 1: A change in hair pigmentation is common after radiation therapy.

, and temporary or permanent loss of hair over the irradiated site. With very high levels of radiation exposure, the skin irritation may progress to ulcer formation; this is an unlikely side effect with the doses of radiation that are usually used in treatment, but may be seen in some instances. In almost all cases, the effects of radiation therapy will not be serious and healing of inflamed tissue will have occurred within 3-4 weeks after the treatment is completed.