MSK nurse practitioner Carol Ann Milazzo describes side effects commonly associated with radiation therapy to the spine.
Radiation can make you temporarily fatigued. Because radiation travels through your skin, it can make the treated area look and feel sunburned. This condition is called radiation dermatitis. Other common side effects of palliative radiation therapy to the spine may include temporary worsening of back pain, sore throat, heartburn, and nausea, depending on the level of the spine being treated.
You may want to ask your doctors about how to manage these potential side effects during and right after radiation.
Side Effects of Palliative Radiation Therapy to the Spine
Radiation treatment can cause you to feel fatigue, regardless of the site of your treatment.
Cancer-related fatigue is very common, though we don't know the exact mechanism of it. It is temporary, and you will regain some of your energy within a few weeks after you finish your treatment.
Radiation must travel through your skin before it reaches its target. In this process, it may irritate your skin, causing it to look and feel sunburned. This is also called radiation dermatitis. It happens when the radiation beams both enter or leave through your skin.
If you are having radiation to your spine, you might have some back pain with the treatment. Taking a steroid medication, which helps to decrease the swelling caused by the radiation, or some extra pain medication might help.
If the area of treatment is near your neck, you may develop a sore throat.
If it is near your upper or mid-back, you may develop heartburn or irritation of your food pipe, which is called the esophagus. This is called esophagitis. You may also develop some nausea.
All of these issues are treatable and are temporary. They will go away once the radiation is finished.
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