Side Effects of Palliative Radiation Therapy to the Bone

Memorial Sloan Kettering nurse practitioner Carol Ann Milazzo describes side effects commonly associated with radiation therapy to the bone. Radiation can cause patients to feel temporarily fatigued, or have a transient worsening of pain. Because radiation travels through the skin, it may cause the treated area to look and feel sunburned – a condition called radiation dermatitis.

Patients may want to ask their doctors about how to manage these potential side effects during and immediately after radiation.