Acute Side Effects/Treatments

Question 1

Skin side effects and doses

Answer 1

Temporary alopecia = 10-15Gy
Erythema = 20 Gy
Dry desquamation = 30 Gy
Moist desquamation = 40 Gy
Permanent alopecia = 50 Gy

Question 2

Small Bowel side effects and doses

Answer 2

Diarrhea = 25 Gy
Constipation = 25 Gy

Question 3

Bladder side effects and doses

Answer 3

Cystitis (inflammation of the bladder) = 25 Gy

Question 4

Rectum side effects and doses

Answer 4

Proctitis = 25-30Gy

Question 5

Anus side effects and doses

Answer 5

Inflammation and moist desquamation of the skin = 20 - 40 Gy

Question 6

Testes side effects and doses

Answer 6

Transient aspermia = 0.5Gy (failure to produce semen, or absence of sperm from the semen)

Question 7

Ovaries side effects and doses

Answer 7

Persistent amenorrhea (loss of periods) = 2Gy.

Question 8

Vagina side effects and doses

Answer 8

Vaginal adhesions = 10Gy
Vaginitis (inflammation) = 30Gy.

Question 9

Stomach side effects and doses

Answer 9

gastritis (stomach inflammation) causing nausea and vomiting = 10-20 Gy

Question 10

Liver side effects and doses

Answer 10

(if 75% or more is irradiated) Jaundice, anorexia and fatigue = 20-25Gy
Acute radiation hepatitis and ascites (accumulation of fluid) = 25Gy

Question 11

Spleen side effects and doses

Answer 11

Blood counts altered and poor immune function = 30-40 Gy.

Question 12

Esophagus side effects and doses

Answer 12

Oesophagitis resulting in dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) = 20Gy

Question 13

Heart side effects and doses

Answer 13

Asymptomatic pericarditis = 20 Gy
Acute pericarditis (resulting in chest pain and shortness of breath) = 40 Gy

Question 14

Lung side effects and doses

Answer 14

Acute pneumonitis (causing dry cough and shortness of breath) = Higher volume treated, more likely to induce. Aim to reduce dose to 20-30Gy

Question 15

Spinal Cord side effects and doses

Answer 15

Lhermittes Syndrome = 35Gy

Question 16

Skin side effects treatments

Answer 16

Temporary alopecia = wigs, hats and scarves
Erythema = HealthE fatty cream
Dry desquamation = HealthE fatty cream, hydrocortisone
Moist desquamation = no creams, moist dressings
Permanent alopecia = wigs, hats and scarves

Question 17

Small Bowel side effects treatments

Answer 17

Diarrhea = low residue/fiber diet and codeine phosphate
Constipation = high fiber diet and coloxyl

Question 18

Bladder side effects treatments

Answer 18

Cystitis = Ural sachets and mid stream urine test for possible antibiotics

Question 19

Rectum side effects treatments

Answer 19

Proctitis = low residue/fiber diet and loperamide,

Question 20

Anus side effects treatments

Answer 20

Inflammation and moist desquamation of the skin = loose underwear and saltwater baths

Question 21

Vagina side effects treatments

Answer 21

Vaginal adhesions = Dilators and gentle sex
Vaginitis (inflammation) = Salt baths

Question 22

Stomach side effects treatments

Answer 22

Gastritis = Frequent small meals, non-odorous foods and favorite foods.

Question 23

Liver side effects treatments

Answer 23

Jaundice, anorexia and fatigue = Small colorful meals, ensure plus, high fat meals and exercise
Acute radiation hepatitis and ascites = Drainage of site

Question 24

Spleen side effects treatments

Answer 24

Blood counts altered and poor immune function = Staying away from crowds/sick people and blood transfusion

Question 25

Esophagus side effects treatments

Answer 25

Oesophagitis = Gargle aspirin, soft foods, Ensure Plus for weight loss, nasogastric tube and P.E.G

Question 26

Heart side effects treatments

Answer 26

Pericarditis= Corticosteroids and analgesics

Question 27

Lung side effects treatments

Answer 27

Acute pneumonitis = Corticosteroids (prednisone)