Therapeutic Procedures

Information for Patients Receiving Radiation to the Pelvis/Prostate

Approximately two weeks after your first treatment, you may begin to experience side effects or symptoms caused by radiation therapy. These symptoms may continue throughout the treatment period, and gradually disappear after you have completed treatment. Your physician will tell you which symptoms you are likely to experience, when you will notice them and how long they will last. It is important that you follow the appropriate Instructions to minimize your discomfort. An expected side effect of your treatment is diarrhea. Please let your physician or nurse know as soon as the diarrhea occurs. The physician will prescribe a medication to keep the diarrhea under control. Over the counter remedies do not work well for radiation induced diarrhea. Some patients are asked to follow a restricted fiber diet while they are receiving treatment, and for some weeks afterward. This restricted fiber diet should be incorporated into any other special diet that you are following. Occasionally, patients note some rectal discomfort, such as itching, burning or pain during a bowel movement. If this occurs, medication can be ordered to relieve these symptoms. The type of treatment you are receiving can cause some discomfort to the bladder. You may note increased frequency, burning on urination or a feeling of pressure and urgency. Please alert your physician or nurse if these symptoms occur. You may notice that you become increasingly tired during the last weeks of your treatment course. This is not unusual. We recommend that you pace your activities, planning frequent rest periods.You may experience changes in sexual desire or performance as a result of the treatment; however, these changes tend to vary greatly from one person to another. We encourage you to discuss your concerns about sexuality with your physician or nurse. Skin Care Instructions Do not rub the treated area with soap or apply any ointment, salve, cosmetic or self-remedy to the treatment site during your treatment period or for three weeks after treatment is finished. You may use Dove unscented or Basis soap in the treatment area after radiation tattoos are placed.Do not rub, scrub, or scratch skin in the treatment field. If your skin becomes dry or itches, tell your nurse. If necessary, your doctor may order a medication especially for this problem.Use only an electric razor toshave in the treated area throughout the treatment period and until any skin reaction that may have occurred has disappeared. If the skin is sensitive, do not shave at all until sensitivity disappears. Do not use hot water bottles, heating light, electric heating pads or hot packs on the treated areas.Keep the treated area out of the sun. Continue to take precautions for at least one year after the treatment has ended. You should always use a sunscreen of at least SPF 20 in the treatment area when exposed to the sun.

Radiation therapy frequently causes skin change, such as dryness, redness, tanning or peeling. Do not be alarmed by these reactions. They are temporary and will disappear within a few weeks after treatment has ended.

If you develop a skin reaction, report it to your nurse or doctor. Keep your skin clean, dry and open to the air as much as possible. Wear only loose fitting cotton clothing over the reactive skin to avoid further irritation.