Radiation therapy can have adverse effects on a patient's nutritional status. The impact varies by site and depends on the radiation dose and how it is delivered.
Adverse Effect
Treatment Site
colitis
abdomen, pelvis and rectum
diarrhea
dysphagia, odynophagia, esophagitis
brain, head and neck, thorax
enteritis
abdomen
esophageal stenosis
thorax
intestinal stricture or obstruction
loss of appetite
brain, thorax
mucositis
head and neck
nausea and vomiting
brain, thorax, abdomen, pelvis and rectum
taste change
thick saliva
trismus
xerostomia
dysphagia, odynophagia, esophagitis, mucositis, taste change, thick saliva, trismus, xerostomia
brain
dysphagia, odynophagia, esophagitis, nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite
dysphagia, odynophagia, esophagitis, esophageal stenosis, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting
diarrhea, enteritis or colitis, nausea and vomiting
pelvis and rectum
diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, colitis
The effects of the radiation need to be distinguished from adverse effects of the tumor, chemotherapy, surgery, and mood disorders.
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Specialty: Hematology Oncology
