Final answer:
Post-surgery or radiation therapy, patients may experience side effects such as localized hair loss, skin changes, blood cell production issues, and gastrointestinal problems. Monitoring for recurrence of cancer through signs and biomarkers is critical. Images demonstrating radiation therapy highlight the precision required in such treatments.
Step-by-step explanation:
After undergoing surgery or radiation therapy, patients may experience various signs and symptoms as their body reacts or adjusts to the treatments received. Some common side effects of radiation therapy include unusual hair loss in the targeted area, skin changes such as dryness and itching, alterations in blood cell production leading to immunity disorders and anemia, and gastrointestinal issues like diarrhea and nausea. Additionally, unusual lumps or swelling, bleeding, or ulceration, enlarged lymph nodes, and other symptoms such as coughing, bone pain, and neurological issues may arise, which can be indicative of ongoing health concerns such as cancer relapse. Monitoring for signs of cancer recurrence is critical, and in some cases, elevated biomarkers, such as AFP (alpha-fetoprotein), in a patient previously treated for specific cancers like teratoma, can suggest a possible relapse.
It's essential for patients and healthcare providers to be vigilant post-treatment, as early detection of any adverse signs can significantly impact the effectiveness of additional treatments. Descriptions and images of radiation therapy, such as a woman receiving targeted gamma rays for a brain tumor, demonstrate the precise nature of these treatments and the importance of targeting only the affected areas to minimize side effects.