Possible Side Effects of Brachytherapy
Like other cancer treatments, brachytherapy may cause some side effects, both short-term and long-term. The most common complaint is fatigue, which may last a few days. A less common side effect is soreness in the treated area. You can easily take painkillers, such as acetaminophen, naproxen, or ibuprofen, to alleviate this problem. In some cases, you may experience a fluid pocket under the skin due to the insertion of the catheter. While long-term side effects are not common, you may also have skin dryness, loss of arm’s hair, or changes in skin color and texture. In general, side effects of brachytherapy tend to be less serious than those of external beam radiation therapy. [5]
