Table of Contents What Is Leukemia? Normal/Leukemia Cells Types of Leukemia Leukemia Symptoms Diagnosis of Leukemia Leukemia Treatment Getting a Second Opinion Methods of Leukemia Treatment Leukemia Clinical Trials Supportive Care Side Effects of Leukemia Treatment Leukemia Treatment with Chemotherapy Leukemia Treatment with Radiation Therapy Leukemia Treatment with Bone Marrow Transplants Nutrition for Leukemia Cancer Patients Followup Care Support for Leukemia Patients What the Future Holds Possible Causes of Leukemia Keeping on Top of Your Condition

Leukemia Treatment with Radiation Therapy

Patients receiving radiation therapy may become very tired. Resting is important, but doctors usually suggest that patients remain as active as they can.

When radiation is directed to the head, patients often lose their hair. Radiation can cause the scalp or the skin in the treated area to become red, dry, tender, and itchy. Patients will be shown how to keep the skin clean. They should not use any lotion or cream on the treated area without the doctor's advice. Radiation therapy also may cause nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite. These side effects are temporary, and doctors and nurses can often suggest ways to control them until the treatment is over.

However, some side effects may be lasting. Children (especially young ones) who receive radiation to the brain may develop problems with learning and coordination. For this reason, doctors use the lowest possible doses of radiation, and they give this treatment only to children who cannot be treated successfully with chemotherapy alone.

Also, radiation to the testicles is likely to affect both fertility and hormone production. Most boys who have this form of treatment are not able to have children later on. Some may need to take hormones.