Common adverse reactions of radiotherapy for breast cancer and countermeasures

Breast cancer, a common malignant tumor in women, is a veritable “global killer of women”, with the morbidity age increasing from 20 years old to 45-50 years old. Understanding breast cancer and its treatment modalities, especially postoperative radiotherapy, is essential to improve patient survival and quality of life. Radiotherapy is one of the important means in the treatment of breast cancer, which is very important in the comprehensive treatment of breast cancer, but patients may have a variety of adverse reactions during radiotherapy. These adverse reactions can be roughly divided into acute side effects and chronic side effects. 1. Acute side effects Skin reactions: Radiotherapy can stimulate the skin to a certain extent, resulting in skin swelling, itching, dryness, desquamation and other discomforts. In severe cases, symptoms such as skin ulceration, ulcers and pain may also occur. During radiotherapy, patients should keep the skin in the radiation area clean and dry, and avoid physical or chemical stimulation. Use soft, loose cotton clothing and avoid rubbing, sun exposure, heat or ice, etc. Local skin lesions should be kept clean and dry to prevent infection, do not scrub with irritating articles, and do not rub with hands. Once ulceration occurs, the wound should be washed with normal saline every day, and moist burn ointment, Kangfuxin or Ruyi Jinhuang ointment should be applied locally. Breast discomfort: In the course of radiotherapy, the breast may appear swelling, pain, nipple sensitivity and other discomfort. Some patients may also have breast hardening, nipple contraction, nipple discharge and other symptoms. These discomforts usually diminish with the end of radiotherapy. Fatigue: In the process of radiotherapy, due to the influence of normal tissue cells, metabolic disorders and increased energy consumption, patients may feel tired, manifested as physical decline, lack of energy, fatigue and other symptoms. During radiotherapy, patients should ensure adequate sleep and rest time, moderate exercise and balanced diet to alleviate fatigue. Nausea and vomiting: Irritation of the gastrointestinal mucosa by radiotherapy may cause digestive discomfort such as nausea and vomiting. This discomfort is usually mild and can be controlled by dietary adjustment and the use of necessary medications. Patients should avoid eating greasy, sweet and fried food, and eat more light and digestible food, such as porridge, rotten noodles, etc. 2. Chronic side effects Radiation dermatitis: Skin damage caused by radiotherapy may not appear until several months after treatment, manifested as upper limb edema, skin thickening, skin color deepening, etc. This skin change usually improves within months or even a year after the end of radiotherapy. Radiation pneumonitis: Radiotherapy may lead to pulmonary inflammatory fibrosis changes, manifested as chest distress, shortness of breath, cough, low fever and other symptoms. The incidence of pulmonary fibrosis in breast cancer patients is very low, but once the above symptoms occur, they should seek medical treatment in time, pay attention to rest, maintain indoor air circulation and appropriate temperature, and reduce the risk of infection. Radiation heart damage: Radiotherapy may cause heart damage, manifested as chest distress, palpitation, chest pain and other symptoms. The risk of cardiac injury is higher in younger patients with left breast cancer treated with radiotherapy and concurrent anthracycline chemotherapy or targeted therapy. Patients undergoing radiotherapy should have their cardiac function tested regularly and undergo echocardiography before, during, and after radiotherapy. Fibrosis and sclerosis of the breast: Fibrosis and sclerosis of the breast may be caused by the proliferation of fibrous tissue during the damage and repair of breast tissue by radiotherapy. This change is usually irreversible, but it can be alleviated by rehabilitation therapy and active rehabilitation exercises. Breast cancer is a complex disease, and its treatment involves a variety of methods, including surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and endocrine therapy. Radiotherapy, as one of the important treatment methods, can effectively eliminate cancer cells, but it may also bring a variety of adverse reactions. Scientific nursing and coping measures can effectively reduce the adverse reactions of radiotherapy and improve the quality of life of patients. Breast cancer patients should actively cooperate with the doctor’s treatment recommendations, maintain good living habits and mentality, in order to better cope with the challenges brought by the disease. Breast cancer Related to drugs, trauma, surgery, or radiation therapy