What are side effects of radiation therapy in the breast?

Radiation therapy: Divided into -acute and late effects. Acute changes will include fatigue and skin changes that accumulate gradually within the radiated field over the course of treatment. Redness, soreness, sometimes with peeling off skin. Thickening of skin and breast edema also can happen. Late complication risk is low-may include arm swelling, radiation pneumonitis, nerve injury/brachila plexus etc.

Skin effect are: The most common during treatment, with redness of the skin in the front of the arm pit, and under the breast. It can range from red like sunburn, to dry and tanned, to loss of the superficial skin, with oozing serum (moist desquamation). Late effects include edema or shrinkage, arm swelling, rarely lung, heart, rib injury.

Breast Radiation: Side effects during treatment are related to the skin which can get dry, red, peel, tan.The breast can be more tender through the surgery site and there can be sharp shooting pains as well.Over time a diffuse scar tissue will form throughout the breast with the amount different for each lady.Some breasts end up bigger and others smaller.Usually takes two years to settle into permanent size and shape.