Radiation therapy is a method used to kill cancer cells. The goal is to try and kill as much cancer as possible. It tends to work best when used with other treatments such as
surgery
and
chemotherapy. It may be used to kill any cancer cells left behind after surgery. Rarely, it may be used for people who can’t have surgery.
External beam radiation is used to treat bladder cancer. Radiation is made by a machine outside the body. Short bursts are aimed at the cancer.
As with other methods, there are side effects. These may include:
- Erectile dysfunction
in men.
- Vaginal dryness in women.
- Infertility—If you think you’ll have children later, talk to your doctor now. There may be ways to preserve your fertility before you start treatment.
- Dry skin
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
There are many ways to manage these problems. In some cases, the dose may be changed. Talk to your healthcare team as soon as these appear so they can be better controlled.
