Radiotherapy

Types

• external beam

• brachytherapy

• unsealed source

  • ¹³¹I for thyrois

  • MIBG for neuroendocrine tumours

Uses

• tumours

• thyrotoxicosis

• keloid scars

• pterygion

Side Effects

• Skin

  • erythema

  • desquamation

  • ulceration

  • hair loss

  • late

    • pigmentation

    • atrophy

    • telangiectasia

• Brain

  • headache

  • Nausea

  • vomiting

  • late

    • somnolence

    • memory loss

    • necrosis

• Mouth

  • mucositis

  • ulceration

  • late

    • dryness

    • ductitis

• Gut

  • nausea

  • vomiting

  • diarrhoea

  • late

    • strictures

    • fistulae

• Fatigue

• Late

  • spinal paralysis - 12-18months later

  • Secondary malignancies

• Thyroid dysfunction

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