Late effects are health problems that can happen months or years after cancer treatment has finished. They can be caused by the cancer or the treatments, like chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or surgery.
Late effects can affect the body or the mind, and they can be different for each person. You may also suffer from tiredness, concentration problems and pain. There may also be changes to how you feel about yourself when it comes to relationships, intimacy, and physical closeness
There are resources available on our website such an animations, details of other organisations and support groups to help you cope.
There are also some Macmillan booklets to help you with late effects. You can ask your local Macmillan centre for one or download it by clicking on the picture of the booklet.
The website address below gives some more information on the side effects of chemotherapy
Pelvic Radiation
After radiotherapy, some people may notice ongoing problems because the healthy tissues in the pelvis were also affected. These problems can show up weeks, months, or even years after treatment.
| Late Effects related to Pelvic Radiotherapy | Click below to access the resources |
|---|---|
| Pelvic Radiotherapy and Late Effects on the Bladder- Macmillan | Managing the bladder late effects of pelvic radiotherapy | Macmillan Cancer Support |
| Pelvic Radiotherapy and Late Effects on the Bowel- Macmillan | Managing the bowel late effects of pelvic radiotherapy | Macmillan Cancer Support |
| The Pelvic Radiation Disease Association – PRDA | Pelvic Radiation Disease Association |
Lymphoedema
Lymphoedema is when part of your body gets swollen because the lymphatic system isn’t working right. The lymphatic system is like a network of tiny tubes that help your body get rid of waste and fight germs.
Cancer can damage the lymphatic system so the fluid cannot drain away. It often occurs in an arm or a leg.
If you have been or still are a Christie patient your consultant or GP can refer you into The Christie Physiotherapy Department for help with your lymphoedema.
Having lymphoedema puts you at an increased risk of sepsis so it is important that you let your GP know if your skin turns red and is hot to touch. This may be harder to see on brown and black skin. You may also have pain, increased swelling, a high temperature or chills.
| Lymphoedema late Effects | Click below to access the resources |
|---|---|
| Lymphoedema Support Network – LSN | Lymphoedema Support Network – LSN – Because Lymphoedema Matters |
| Lymphoedema Support – Macmillan | Lymphoedema treatment – lymphatic drainage massage, exercise | Macmillan Cancer Support |
Hernias
When you have colorectal cancer, you may develop a hernia as a result of the treatment or surgery, (such as a stoma) you have had. A hernia is when something inside your body, like part of your bowel, pushes through a weak spot in the muscle or tissue around it. It can cause a soft lump or bulge under your skin, often in your tummy area. Hernias can sometimes be uncomfortable, especially when you cough, lift things, or move around.
Depending on the size of your hernia there are a number of ways that it can be managed. Abdominal supports can be used to disguise and support the weight. These may be in the form of a belt or underwear and are available on prescription. In some cases your hernia may become unmanageable. If this is the case you may need surgery to repair the hernia.
Possible Endocrine Treatment Late Effects
- Hypothyroid
An underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism) is where your thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones. Common signs of an underactive thyroid are tiredness, weight gain and feeling depressed. An underactive thyroid can often be successfully treated by taking daily hormone tablets to replace the hormones your thyroid is not making.
- Adrenal insufficiency or hypoadrenalism
You may need to be treated with medicine to replace missing hormones.
- Hypophysitis
This is an inflammation of the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland controls all the other glands such as thyroid, adrenals and reproductive glands. They may also be affected and require ongoing replacement medication.
- Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes causes the level of glucose (sugar) in your blood to become too high. It happens when your body cannot produce a hormone called insulin, which controls blood glucose. It can be successfully treated by taking insulin every day to keep your blood glucose levels under control.
- Peripheral neuropathy
Peripheral neuropathy develops when nerves in the body’s extremities, such as the hands, feet and arms, are damaged. This may result in pins and needles, numbness and or pain in the feet and hands.
- Tiredness and Fatigue
There are many ways you can be supported if you are suffering from tiredness and fatigue. Please speak to your GP or CNS as you may need a blood test to determine the cause of your tiredness.
- Arthralgia /Myalgia
Inflammation of the joints and/or muscles which can result in pain and stiffness
- Changes in your bowel habits
This could include things like; tummy discomfort, diarrhoea or constipation for no obvious reason, a feeling of not having fully emptied your bowels after going to the toilet, pain in your stomach or bottom, ongoing loose poo, often affected by diet
- Decrease in renal function
Sometimes, when the kidneys have become inflamed the structures within the kidney may be damaged resulting in poorer kidney function. Very rarely, this condition may need dialysis. Symptoms of decreased renal function include weight loss, poor appetite, swollen ankles and feet, itchy skin, shortness of breath, and increased need to pee or significant decrease in your amount of pee.
- Visual disturbances
These could include things like; sore, painful, or swollen eyes, eyes that are sensitive to light, changes to your eyesight. If you have any problems with your eyesight we suggest you visit an optician. If you suddenly develop visual disturbances without any other symptoms visit the emergency dept at Manchester Eye Hospital.
Bowel Specific Late Effects
| Bowel late Effects | Click below to access the resources |
|---|---|
| Macmillan Late Effects of Bowel Cancer Treatment | Managing the late effects of bowel cancer treatment | Booklet | Macmillan Cancer Support |