Impact Of Treatment

Question 1

What late effects can radiotherapy have on the skin?

Answer 1

Pigmentation
Hair may grow back different colour or texture or not at all
Telangiectasia
Ulceration
Lymphoedema due to lymph channel blockage

Question 2

What is radiation fibrosis?

Answer 2

Radiotherapy makes tissues less stretchy - effects of this depends on parts of body treated

• bladder less stretchy -> frequency
• narrowing of oesophagus - dysphagia
• bowel strictures

Question 3

What late effects can radiotherapy have on the heart?

Answer 3

Cardiomyopathy

Coronary artery disease

Question 4

What late effects can radiotherapy have on the eyes?

Answer 4

Cataracts

Question 5

What late effects can radiotherapy have on bones?

Answer 5

Fractures

Impaired growth in children

Question 6

What are some late effects of chemotherapy?

Answer 6

Second cancer 
Mild cognitive impairment 
Peripheral neuropathy
Reduced renal function 
Cardiomyopathy 
Reduced lung capacity 
Infertility
Early menopause

Question 7

What chemotherapy drugs can cause heart problems?

Answer 7

Transtuzumab (herceptin) 
Doxorubicin 
Daunorubicin 
Cyclophosphamide 
...

Question 8

What chemotherapy drugs can cause lung damage?

Answer 8

Bleomycin
Methotrexate
Carmustine

Question 9

What are some long term effects of the surgery associated with breast cancer?

Answer 9

Numbness over area
Lymphoedema
Neuropathic pain
Burning, tingling, numbness in shoulder, arm or hand (brachial plexus damage)

Psychological: reduced self esteem and body image concern