Late effects of cancer treatment

Radiotherapy or surgery to the lymph nodes may cause swelling called lymphoedema. This usually affects your arms or legs (limbs). But it can affect other parts of the body, depending on which area was treated.

To reduce your risk, follow the advice from your specialist nurse. This includes looking after your skin in the area that was treated. If you notice any swelling, get it checked by a doctor straight away and tell your cancer team. The earlier lymphoedema is diagnosed, the easier it is to manage and treat successfully.

Certain cancer treatments may increase your risk of developing different heart and lung problems in the future. But many people who have these drugs or treatments do not develop any effects. If you are worried, you can ask your cancer team if your heart or lungs are likely to be affected in the long term.

Radiotherapy to the middle of the chest or the left breast may increase the risk of heart problems. Radiotherapy to treat lung cancer may cause lung changes, such as scarring. Newer radiotherapy techniques aim to lower the risk of these problems.

Different cancer treatments may cause heart problems. These problems may include high blood pressure and abnormal heart rhythms. If you are at risk of these side effects, you will usually have checks on your heart before treatment. You may also have checks during and after treatment. Contact the hospital straight away if you have any symptoms.

Chemotherapy drugs such as bleomycin can affect the lungs. Targeted and immunotherapy drugs may cause lung inflammation. This is called pneumonitis. If you have breathlessness or a cough, contact your doctor straight away.

There are things you can do to help look after your heart and lungs. Not smoking is very important. Being physically active, eating healthily and keeping to a healthy weight also help look after your heart and lungs.

Hormonal therapy to treat breast or prostate cancer can increase the risk of bone thinning – this is called osteoporosis. This may mean you are more likely to get a break (fracture) in a bone.

Radiotherapy to the pelvic area may increase the risk of small insufficiency fractures (stress fractures) in the pelvis, but this is not common.

If you have pain or aching in the bones, tell your cancer team. It can be caused by many different conditions, but it is important to get it checked.

Not smoking, eating a healthy, balanced diet and doing weight-bearing exercises such as walking can help you look after your bones. We have more information about bone health.   

Radiotherapy to the head and neck can cause late effects to your mouth and throat. These may include a dry mouth because you have less saliva, thicker or stickier saliva, or a loss of sense of taste.

Using artificial saliva and having frequent sips of water can help with a dry mouth. Using a sodium bicarbonate mouthwash may help clear thick saliva.

It is important to follow any advice you have been given. Keeping your teeth and mouth clean can also help. You will need regular visits to your dentist and oral hygienist.

Surgery and radiotherapy can affect eating and speech. Specialist health professionals can help with any changes to eating and speech. These may include dietitians and speech and language therapists (SLTs).

We have more information about managing the late effects of head and neck cancer treatment.

Radiotherapy to the pelvis can cause late effects on the bowel and bladder. These can often be managed or treated successfully. Some people may need to consult a bowel or bladder specialist for more specialised help. There are different treatments available.

You can often manage late effects on the bowel by changing your diet. This could include reducing how much high-fibre food you eat. You can take medicines to control diarrhoea or constipation.

Pelvic late effects on the bladder may mean you need to pass urine (pee) more often. You may also leak a small amount of urine (incontinence). It is important to drink lots of fluids and avoid things that can irritate the bladder – for example, caffeine and alcohol. Stopping smoking can also help with effects on the bowel and bladder.

If you have problems with bowel or bladder control, ask your nurse for a referral to a continence adviser. They can talk to you about pelvic floor exercises or bladder training to help bladder control. Keeping to a healthy weight will also help. This relieves pressure on your pelvic floor.

Certain cancer treatments may slightly increase the risk of developing another cancer in the future. But usually, the benefits of treatment will far outweigh any risk. Your cancer team can give you more information about this.

Cancer treatment may affect your sex life in different ways. It may also affect your ability to get pregnant or make someone pregnant (fertility).