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Radiation Injury
If you have cancer, you might experience many changes in your body that affect your treatment recovery. Radiation and surgery can cause wounds and may affect normal healing. You also might lose weight in the form of muscle, which can affect wound healing, organ function, immune response, and mobility.
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Types of Wounds
Radiotherapy burns and woundsRadiotherapy (or radiation treatment) treats cancer by using high-energy rays that destroy cancer cells and can shrink tumors. This treatment sometimes can wound the body by leaving burn marks. The cells in the body that are most at risk for radiation burns are in the skin, bone marrow, and GI tract.Close
Surgical incisionsAccording to the American Cancer Society (ACS), surgery is the oldest form of cancer treatment. It provides the best chance to stop many types of cancer, and it also plays a part in diagnosing, staging, and supporting cancer treatment.
Radiation delays wound healing due to effects on the skin, connective tissue, and blood vessels. Surgical incisions should be healed before radiotherapy begins. If the surgical wound is not healing or is not completely healed when radiotherapy is initiated, complications may arise. It typically takes three weeks after surgery for complete healing.Close
Fungating woundsA fungus or “fungating” (malignant) wound occurs when cancer that is growing under the skin breaks through to the outside of the body. As the cancer grows, it blocks and damages blood vessels, which can starve the area of oxygen. This causes the skin and underlying tissue to die. There also may be an infection; the wounds often will look like a fungus or cauliflower.
Fungating wounds are rare, but they can develop in the area where the cancer started or when the cancer has spread. The most common symptoms are: - Discharge
- Unpleasant odor
- Pain
- Bleeding
- Itching
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Why cancer makes wound healing harder
Wound healing requires proper amounts of blood and nutrients; overall nutrition and dietary intake can affect the outcome. Several factors can hinder healing, including:
- Unintentional weight and muscle loss: Approximately 40% to 80% of people with cancer lose weight in the form of lean muscle. This happens due to changes in metabolism caused by tumors.
- Inflammation
- Malnutrition
Additional Resources
These websites provide additional information about cancer research, treatment, nutrition, and prevention. All of these sites are owned and maintained independently of Abbott Nutrition.
American Cancer Society®Cancer.org is a valuable resource for people with cancer, and their friends and family. The site provides helpful information for people ranging from those with little prior knowledge of the disease to survivors and healthcare professionals. Visit the official website today at Cancer.org for more information.Close
Cancer CareCancer Care is a national nonprofit organization that provides free professional help to people with all cancers through counseling, education, information and referral, and direct financial assistance. Close
National Cancer Institute®This site is home to comprehensive information on cancer causes, prevention, treatment, clinical trials, and much more. Well-organized categories make it easy to find the information you need. Close
The Wellness Community®Based in Boston, Mass., this organization is dedicated to helping people with cancer and their families by providing free psychological and emotional support. Close
*American Cancer Society, National Cancer Institute, and The Wellness Community are not registered trademarks of Abbott Laboratories.