Acute Radiation Side Effects Flashcards
Epilation/Alopecia
2000 - 3000 cGy cGy
Hair loss
Dry Desquamation
3000 - 4000 cGy
skin becomes dry and scaly due to destruction of sebaceous gland in the treatment area
Moist Desquamation
4000 - 6000 cGy
inflammation, edema, and blister formation and peeling of the epithelial layers of the skin
Mucositis
2000 - 3000 cGy
alteration in the mucous membranes of the oral cavity, which manifests as inflammation desquamation, and ulceration
Stomatitis
2000 - 3000 cGy
painful swelling and sore inside the mouth
“also called oral mucositis”
Early sign and synths of mucositis
- Dryness of mucous membrane
- Red, inflamed areas of the mucus membrane
- Presence of white or yellow membrane
- mild burning sensation
Late Sign and Symptoms of Mucositis
- Ulceration
- Necrotic tissue
- Pain
- Bleeding
Esophagitis
2000 - 3000 cGy
“esophagus inflammation”
(causes dysphagia - trouble swallowing)
Early signs and symptoms of Esophagitis
- Dysphagia - (trouble swallowing)
- Odynophagia - (painful swallowing)
- Haematemesis - (vomiting for or blood)
- chest pain
- Inflammation of the esophageal lining
Nausea
1000 - 2000 cGy
“occurs when the epithelial cells lining the esophagus, stomach, and /or intestine are destroyed in respsonse to radiation
Signs and symptoms of Nausea
- Usually begins 1 to 6 hours after radiation treatment
- Functioning dyspepsia - (queasy stomach)
- Eructation - (belching)
- Hyper salvation - (watery mouth)
- Sour Belch
Diarrhea/ Colic
2000 - 5000 cGy
“Epithelial cells in the large colon are destroyed in response to exposure
Symptoms of diarrhea
- Watery stool
* Frequent Bowel movement
Cystitis
3000 - 4000 cGy
Monitor for
•urinary retention - (difficulty urinating and completely emptying bladder)
•urgency
•frequency
•dysuria - (painful or difficult urination)
•nocturia/hematuria - (blood in urine)
“inflammation of the lining of the bladder”
Myelosuppression
a reduction in bone marrow function often results in -
•Anemia - ( decrease in peripheral red blood cell count)
•Leukopenia/Neutropenia - (decrease in WBC)
•Thrombocytopenia - (reduction in the number of circulating platelets)
Myelosuppresssion happen more often when you irradiate…
- Chest
- Pelvis
- Extremeties
If your getting treated with an an alkalizing chemo agent what is your likely effect
Myelosuppression
“pt at risk”
•Elderly
•previous irradiated to sternum, pelvis, extremity, and ribs
•pt who receive previous high dose radiation and/or chemotherapy
Most common drug to reduce nausea from chemotherapy
Antiemetic
Xerostomia
2000 - 3000 cGy
“dry mouth”
