What does high energy radiation do to cancer cells?

At high doses, radiation therapy kills cancer cells or slows their growth by damaging their DNA. Cancer cells whose DNA is damaged beyond repair stop dividing or die. When the damaged cells die, they are broken down and removed by the body. Radiation therapy does not kill cancer cells right away.

What are three symptoms of high radiation exposure?

Possible symptoms include:

• Nausea and vomiting.
• Diarrhea.
• Headache.
• Fever.
• Dizziness and disorientation.
• Weakness and fatigue.
• Hair loss.
• Bloody vomit and stools from internal bleeding.

What are the symptoms of high radiation?

The most common early symptoms of radiation sickness are the same as for many other illnesses — nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. They can start within minutes of exposure, but they may come and go for several days.

How long after radiation exposure does cancer develop?

If cancer does develop after radiation therapy, it does not happen right away. For leukemias, most cases develop within 5 to 9 years after exposure. In contrast, other cancers often take much longer to develop.

What are the side effects of radiation therapy for cancer?

In this Article. Radiation therapy treats cancer by using high-energy waves to kill tumor cells. The goal is to destroy or damage the cancer without hurting too many healthy cells. This treatment can cause side effects, but they’re different for everyone. The ones you have depend on the type of radiation you get, how much you get,…

What are the signs and symptoms of radiation sickness?

Radiation sickness 1 Overview. Radiation sickness is damage to your body caused by a large dose of radiation often received over a short period of time (acute). 2 Symptoms. The severity of signs and symptoms of radiation sickness depends on how much radiation you’ve absorbed. 3 Causes. 4 Complications 5 Prevention.

What are the symptoms of fatigue after radiation therapy?

Symptoms of Fatigue. Usually a week or so after the first radiation therapy treatment you may begin to feel the following symptoms of fatigue: Feeling tired or lethargic throughout the day. Exhaustion (this feeling lasts longer than being tired, is more intense and isn’t relieved by rest).

What to do if you have nausea after radiation therapy?

Some people feel queasy for a few hours right after radiation therapy. If you have this problem, try not eating for a couple of hours before and after your treatment. You may handle the treatment better on an empty stomach. If the problem doesn’t go away, ask your cancer care team about medicines to help prevent and treat nausea.