For many cancer survivors, life after treatment includes returning to normal activities and focusing on recovery. However, some patients experience complications that develop months or even years after radiation therapy has ended. One of these complications is soft tissue radionecrosis (STRN), a delayed radiation injury that can affect the body’s ability to heal. Understanding STRN…
During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, much of the conversation focuses on prevention, screening, and treatment. But for many survivors, healing continues after active treatment is over. Radiation therapy is often an important part of breast cancer care, and while it can help reduce the risk of recurrence, it may also affect the skin and soft…
For many people treated for cancer, life after radiation therapy looks much the same as it did before treatment. However, some cancer survivors experience changes in the body over time as tissues recover from radiation exposure. When radiation affects the bladder, it may lead to a condition known as radiation‑induced hemorrhagic cystitis. Understanding this condition…
When Leslie Maynor was diagnosed with a rare cancer of the inner ear, she became fearful her life would end. After undergoing surgery, chemotherapy and radiation treatment to remove the cancer, Leslie developed severe burns and was left with a hole that was resistant to healing. Radiation conditions like Leslie’s are a common side effect…
Prostate cancer remains one of the most common cancers affecting men. According to the American Cancer Society’s 2024 estimates, about 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime. In the United States alone, approximately 288,300 new cases are diagnosed each year. The journey through prostate cancer treatment often involves managing…
Chronic wounds are defined as those resistant to healing within an expected amount of time or show very little improvement after several weeks. Chronic wound infections take place when complications in healing injuries or tears to the skin’s surface occur. The presence of germs and bacteria causes an open wound to become infected, requiring innovative…
A pressure ulcer is an injury to the skin and the tissue below it. It forms when the skin is pressed against a bone. It’s caused by pressure, rubbing or friction.
The fight to beat cancer can be a long road, and the thought of having other conditions due to radiation treatment can be overwhelming. A side effect of some radiation treatments is the narrowing of the arteries, which may decrease blood flow to the treated area, resulting in healing challenges. Leslie Maynor received radiation treatment…
If you or someone you care for received radiation treatment to help fight cancer, there may be conditions that could occur due to the radiation treatment. Radiation kills cancer cells but also may harm healthy tissue. In some cases, these conditions do not cause symptoms for several months or even years following treatment.
If you are among the nearly 7 million Americans currently living with a chronic wound, you may need specialized care. Non-healing wounds can limit your quality of life and can even be life-threatening. The longer a chronic wound goes untreated, the greater your risk of infection. This could lead to hospitalizations, amputations or even death.
