Side Effects of Radiation Therapy You Shouldn’t Ignore

Radiation therapy can be a double-edged sword: while it effectively kills cancer cells in various areas of the body, it can also increase the risk of delayed radiation injury. Patients who undergo radiation may develop late side effects months or even years after treatment. 

For many survivors, the hidden toll of radiation therapy lingers long after remission, but there is hope. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is an effective way to restore oxygen flow, stimulate healing, and help repair radiation injury years after treatment. 

Read on to learn about the delayed side effects of radiation, warning signs of a delayed radiation injury, when HBOT can help, and where to find the best hyperbaric oxygen therapy in Marietta for radiation injury. 

What are the Long-Term Side Effects of Cancer Radiation?

Regardless of the type of cancer you are receiving radiation for, radiation therapy can leave behind effects that continue to surface long after treatment ends. Sometimes, changing the way the body heals and functions, by damaging healthy cells:

• One of the most common problems is radiation-induced fibrosis, a buildup of scar tissue that causes stiffness and limits movement in the area that was treated. 
• In more severe cases, patients may develop radiation necrosis, where healthy tissue dies, leading to chronic pain, non-healing wounds, or ulcers that won’t heal on their own. 
• Radiation can also affect specific organs, such as the bladder and bowels. 
• Bones exposed to radiation may also weaken, a condition called osteoradionecrosis. 

Why Do Radiation Side Effects Appear Years Later? 

During radiation treatment for cancer, not only cancer cells but also nearby blood vessels and stem cells, which are part of the body’s natural repair systems, can be injured. Initially, the body may compensate by finding ways to heal and adapt around the damage. But over time, as those blood vessels narrow from radiation-induced vasculopathy and stem cells become depleted, the tissue loses its ability to repair itself. That’s why problems such as pain, scarring, or organ changes may not surface until months or years after treatment. 

Depending on the type of radiation therapy you get, you may be more at risk for radiation-damaged tissue or delayed radiation injuries. Your Radiation oncologist is your first resource for understanding your risk factors. 

How Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Helps Heal Radiation Injuries

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy helps heal radiation injuries by giving the body what it can’t get on its own: oxygen delivered at levels high enough to reach areas with poor circulation. 

Inside a hyperbaric chamber, you breathe 99% oxygen under pressure, which saturates the blood plasma and pushes oxygen deep into radiation-damaged tissues that have been oxygen-starved for years. This extra oxygen stimulates the growth of new blood vessels and promotes the release of stem cells, both of which are essential for repairing radiation-damaged tissue. 

Over time, HBOT treatments can reduce pain and inflammation and dramatically improve quality of life. For many survivors, it provides a chance to heal where standard treatments have fallen short.

When to Seek HBOT Treatment Options: Radiation Injury Warning Signs

It’s important for cancer survivors to know when lingering side effects are more than just a nuisance:

• Persistent bleeding, non-healing wounds, or sudden changes in bladder or bowel habits can signal radiation damage that isn’t improving on its own. 
• Likewise, pain, stiffness, or swelling near the radiation site should never be brushed off as normal aging or a minor issue. 

These are red flags that the underlying tissue may be struggling to repair itself and could worsen over time if left untreated. Seeking help early makes a big difference in identifying whether HBOT is right for you. Additionally, getting HBOT treatment started can prevent further tissue breakdown, giving you the best chance at long-term recovery and comfort.

Discover the Best Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Marietta for Radiation-Damaged Tissue

Whether you’re recovering from radiation damage, struggling with a chronic wound, or seeking advanced support for tissue repair, our board-certified physicians and two-step model combine expert medical treatment with state-of-the-art hyperbaric chambers that deliver oxygen deep into tissues where healing has stalled. 

With full accreditation from the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society and a 100% safety record, you can trust that every session is safe, science-backed, and designed to restore your health. 

For over 30 years, we’ve helped patients in Marietta and beyond heal faster, feel better, and return to the lives they love. Our modern hyperbaric clinics are located in Sandy Springs, Cumming, and Marietta, offering convenient accessibility to those in Metro Atlanta and North Georgia. 

Ready to get effective treatment for radiation injury with the best hyperbaric oxygen therapy in Marietta?