What Are The Side Effects Of Radiation Therapy?

Diarrhea

The large intestine is comprised of an interior lining with certain features that allow it to absorb fluids from the stool that moves through it. Radiation therapy is the utilization of very concentrated high energy beams or particles to alter the DNA of malignant cells, which kills them or stops them from growing. However, radiation therapy is not perfectly targeted at cancerous cells in the body and can cause unintentional damage to healthy cells in the area being treated. Radiation beams can cause damage to the healthy cells that make up the lining of the large intestine, impairing its ability to absorb fluid properly. Diarrhea is the adverse effect that results from this malfunction. An individual who is undergoing treatment with radiation therapy aimed at certain areas of their body may experience frequent diarrhea as a negative side effect of their treatment. A patient being treated for any malignancy located in their abdomen or pelvis is most likely to experience diarrhea during their treatment period.

Learn more about the various side effects of radiation therapy now.