Skin Reactions (Radiation Therapy)

Radiation skin reaction is also called radiodermatitis or radiation dermatitis. As radiation travels through the skin to treat the tumor, it interferes with skin cells’ ability to regenerate, resulting in dry, red, itchy, and sometimes painful skin in the treatment area. Most patients who are receiving radiation will develop radiation skin reaction to some degree. How severe the reaction is will depend on your skin type and the location and dosage of your radiation.

Late Effects

Sometimes skin reactions don’t develop until after radiation treatment is over. Radiation recall happens when a drug you may be taking after radiation triggers a skin reaction in your radiation treatment area. Scientists believe that skin cells “remember” radiation and that certain drugs either bring out a delayed reaction or the skin is unable to tolerate them after being changed by radiation. Radiation recall most commonly happens with chemotherapy drugs, antimicrobials, immunotherapy drugs, and hormonal drugs.

Other late effects include skin pigmentation changes, telangiectasia (appearance of red marks and veins on the skin), and fibrosis (thickening of skin tissues similar to scar tissue). Fibrosis is a particularly troubling effect because it can interfere with strength and range of motion. It also may result in a delayed ability to heal if surgery is required in the radiation treatment area.

If you experience skin changes in the area where you are receiving radiation, talk to your oncology nurse or doctor.