Radiotherapy for sarcomas can cause side effects that may happen during treatment, shortly after or much later after treatment has completed. Early (or acute) side effects happen during and straight after treatment. Everyone’s experience is unique, so it is hard to predict when side effects will start, how long they will last or how severe they will be.
If you have any concerns, it’s best to talk to your treatment team. You might experience side effects not mentioned here as each person’s situation and treatment can differ. Research and support for managing side effects and late effects of radiotherapy are increasing.
Joining a support group can be a positive way to share your experiences, help you feel less alone and come to terms with the physical and emotional impact of treatment. Ask your treatment or clinical team if you need more support and let them know if you have any side effects at all.
- The side effects you might experience depend on a few things like: the area of your body being treated; the type of radiotherapy and which tissues or organs are affected by the treatment.
- For example, if you’re receiving radiotherapy for sarcoma on your hip, the treatment may affect your pelvic area. Your treatment team will carefully plan your radiotherapy to minimise side effects.
This page looks at early side effects.
How likely am I to get early side effects?
Before treatment you will discuss and sign a consent form with your clinical oncologist or therapeutic radiographer. They will tell you what to expect, answer your questions and discuss any concerns you have.
You can read different radiotherapy consent forms (HERE) based on the specific area being treated. These consent forms are packed with useful information about early and late side effects.(1)
By signing the consent form, you are saying you understand that you might get early and late side effects. Your team will use words like Expected, Common, Less Common and Rare.
This table shows what these words mean.
| Wording on the consent form | % chance of side or late effect | How many patients will get this? |
|---|---|---|
| Expected | 50 to 100% | Between half and all patients |
| Common | 10 to 50% | Up to half of all patients |
| Less common | Less than 10% | Fewer than one in ten patients |
| Rare | Less than 1% | Fewer than one in 100 patients |
Early side effects (during or soon after treatment)
- Feeling very tired or fatigued: You might feel very tired during and after your treatment. It’s important to get plenty of rest but sometimes you will still feel really tired, even with lots of sleep. Some tiredness can be caused by having cancer and having cancer treatment, and some can be caused by travelling to and from hospital every day for treatment.
- Stiffness: Sarcoma often happens around on and the legs or arms. If you have surgery the skin around the scar can feel tight. If you have treatment around a joint area, you might feel stiffer or have less range of movement.
- Skin reactions: You might notice a change in colour, swelling, itching, or changes in the texture of your skin where you’re treated. People with lighter skin tones might experience colour changes such as pink, red or darker than the surrounding area. People with brown and black skin tones might have colour changes such as maroon, purple, yellow or grey pigment changes. Your skin can ALSO look darker than the surrounding area. These changes usually improve after treatment, but this can take a few weeks.
- Hair Loss: You may lose hair in the treated area, but it often grows back over time.
- Sickness: You might feel or be sick (nausea), but this is uncommon. It usually depends on whether the treatment area is near the stomach or bowel.
- Lymphoedema: Swelling from fluid build-up can happen, especially if your arms or legs are treated. For example, if the treatment is on your leg, swelling may occur below the treatment area, including your foot. It can also happen after surgery.
How to feel better during or soon after treatment
Here are some tips you can try to help you feel better.
- Check Other Resources: Sarcoma can appear anywhere in the body. Look at our other resources for side effects based on the area you are having treatment.
- Staying Active: Gentle movement can help you feel better during and after treatment. Your treatment team can guide you on what’s safe, especially if you’ve had surgery. If you have treatment around your legs and arms, ask for a referral to a physiotherapist so they can support you with your mobility and any stiffness.
- Resting: Make sure to get plenty of sleep and take breaks when you feel tired.
- Managing Bowel Problems: If you’re being treated in the pelvis or abdomen, bowel issues like diarrhoea may happen. A dietician can advise on what to eat and drink, and there are medicines to help. Let your team know if you notice changes.
- Bladder care: If your treatment is near your pelvis and bladder, keep drinking water and talk to your doctor if you have trouble with weeing.
- Drinking fluids: Drinking plenty of fluids such as water, juice and squash can help with fatigue and tiredness caused by your treatment. It can also help flush out toxins in your body caused by treatment. You can try diluted juice if you don’t like water.
- Skin Reactions: Your treatment team can recommend creams for irritated skin. If your skin breaks down, extra care may be needed. Wear loose clothes, avoid the sun and ask your team about washing or shaving the treated area. You may need to change your skin care routine during and shortly after treatment.
- Alcohol Use: Follow NHS guidelines on safe drinking or ask your team for advice based on your diagnosis and treatment.
- Sexual changes: Talk to your team if you are experiencing issues with sex and cancer and they can offer advice.
- Stop smoking: If you would like to stop or reduce smoking, there are services available to help you.
Click here to learn more about late effects.
Further information
Learn more about side effects and support here:
Pelvic Radiation Disease Association
Learn more about radiotherapy consent forms here:
https://www.rcr.ac.uk/our-services/management-service-delivery/national-radiotherapy-consent-forms/
