What are the side effects of radiation therapy for bladder cancer?

Possible side effects of radiation therapy

Skin changes in areas getting radiation, ranging from redness to blistering and peeling.
Nausea and vomiting.
Bladder symptoms, like burning or pain when you urinate, feeling the need to go often, or blood in your urine.
Diarrhea.
Blood in stool and/or urine.
Tiredness (fatigue)

What are the adverse effects of radiation?

The most common early side effects are fatigue (feeling tired) and skin changes. Other early side effects usually are related to the area being treated, such as hair loss and mouth problems when radiation treatment is given to this area. Late side effects can take months or even years to develop.

Can radiotherapy damage bladder?

Radiotherapy can damage the tissue and blood vessels in the lining of the bladder. This can cause pain or burning when you pass urine. It can also make you feel like you need to pass urine frequently (radiation cystitis). The small blood vessels in the bladder lining may become weaker and bleed easily.

Why do you have to have a full bladder for radiation?

The bladder and bowel are in close proximity to the prostate. By ensuring the bladder is full and the bowel is empty each day, we are able to keep the prostate in a consistent position for each radiotherapy treatment. This can reduce the exposure to those organs and reduce the possibility of side effects.

Does radiation shrink bladder?

Passing urine more often You might feel as if you want to pass urine all the time. This can happen because your bladder may shrink slightly after radiotherapy. This is a rare side effect.

Can radiation cause neurogenic bladder?

Neurogenic bladder can be caused by: Chemotherapy. Radiation therapy in your pelvic area (area between your abdomen (belly) and legs) Tumors of your spinal cord, brain, or pelvic area.

What should I avoid after radiation?

Foods to avoid or reduce during radiation therapy include sodium (salt), added sugars, solid (saturated) fats, and an excess of alcohol. Some salt is needed in all diets. Your doctor or dietitian can recommend how much salt you should consume based on your medical history.

What happens if you don’t finish radiation treatment?

Missed Radiation Therapy Sessions Increase Risk of Cancer Recurrence. Patients who miss radiation therapy sessions during cancer treatment have an increased risk of their disease returning, even if they eventually complete their course of radiation treatment, according to a new study.

Does radiation make you pee more?

After radiation therapy, you may need to pass urine more often, particularly at night, or feel as if you need to go in a hurry. You may leak a few drops of urine when you cough, sneeze, laugh or strain. Strengthening the pelvic floor muscles can help with bladder control.