During radiation therapy for prostate cancer, the radiation must penetrate the skin. The skin exposed to radiation may become red, swollen, warm, and sensitive, just like a sunburn. The skin may peel, become moist, or become painful to the touch, and some patients may experience hair loss or decreased sweating at the irradiation site.
All of these skin reactions are common and temporary, and usually subside within 4 to 6 weeks after the end of radiation therapy. If skin changes occur in areas other than the irradiated area, inform your primary care provider or charge nurse promptly.
Some side effects may persist for up to a year or more, such as slight darkening of the skin tone, enlarged pores, increased or decreased skin sensitivity, and thickening of the tissue or skin. Patients may consult a dermatologist for topical medications to relieve symptoms after radiation therapy is completed.
Radiotherapy may also cause urinary symptoms such as frequent urination, hypuria, bleeding, and urinary incontinence, abdominal symptoms such as diarrhea, a feeling of urgency, and blood in the stool, and erectile dysfunction. When choosing a treatment option, possible side effects should be considered and the pros and cons weighed.
Daily care of the skin
- Gently wash the treated area with warm water and mild soap. Do not rub, but gently pat the skin dry with a soft towel or use a hair dryer to gently blow dry.
- Try not to scratch or rub the treated area.
- Do not apply any ointments, creams, lotions or powders to the treated area without permission.
- Do not wear tight clothing.
- Do not wear tight-fitting clothing or clothing made of stiff fabrics such as wool or corduroy, as these can irritate the skin. Instead, choose clothing made from natural fibers such as cotton.
- Do not use medical tape or bandages on the treatment area.
- Do not leave the treatment area exposed.
- Do not expose the treatment area to extreme heat or cold. Avoid using electric heating pads, hot water bottles, or ice packs.
- Do not expose the treated area to direct sunlight, as light exposure may exacerbate adverse skin reactions and cause severe sunburn. Choose a sunscreen with a sun protection factor of 30 or higher. Protect the treatment area from direct sunlight even after the session is over.
Fatigue issues
Each person has a different level of tolerance to radiation therapy, so the adverse reactions that occur vary. After a few weeks of treatment, patients usually feel fatigue. Most fatigue is mild, however, some patients may experience a significant decrease in physical ability to the point of interfering with daily life.
To minimize fatigue from radiation therapy, patients should be aware of the following:
- Get adequate rest.
- Eat a nutritionally balanced diet.
- Adjust your rhythm of life and take more rest between activities.