While radiation certainly has its place when it comes to treating ovarian cancer, there are some side effects to consider before making this treatment decision. Even though radiation can be used to treat cancer that is confined to one area of the body, other organs in that area may become inflamed as a result of radiation. Dr. Subhakar Mutyala, a Radiation Oncologist at Arizona Oncology, gave an example, saying treating a pelvic tumor with radiation may irritate the rectum, the bladder, or cause some other localized irritation. Over the long term, radiation for ovarian cancer can cause gastrointestinal and bladder dysfunction, and although rare, it can also cause something called a fistula, which is an abnormal connection between two organs.
Dr. Mutyala also dispelled some common myths about radiation, such as that the procedure will burn the skin or leave patients radioactive. While skin irritation was once a common side effect of ovarian cancer, Dr. Mutyala said that the technology has improved to the point where the skin is usually fine. These days, he said, women being treated with radiation for ovarian cancer almost never get skin burns. What’s more, they will not be radioactive or dangerous to be around.
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