What does "follow-up" mean?

No matter what type of cancer you have had, you will still need regular doctor visits to check your progress after your radiation therapy ends. You may also need help to deal with any problems that may come up. This phase of your treatment is called follow-up care. Your follow-up care will include checking the results of your treatment, but it may also involve more cancer treatment, rehabilitation, and counseling. It may include appointments with your original doctor, surgeon, medical oncologist (a doctor specially trained to treat patients with chemotherapy), and your radiation oncologist. Your follow-up care will depend on what type of cancer you have and other treatments you have had or will have.

Questions you may want to ask your doctor after radiation therapy:

• When can I go back to normal activities?
• How often will I need to see you?
• Which tests will be done and why?
• What symptoms or side effects should I continue to look for and let you know about?
• When can I wear a prosthesis or have reconstructive surgery?
• Do I need to continue changes in my diet?
• When can I resume sexual activity or try to have a baby?

Care after radiation therapy

For a short time following your therapy, you will need to continue some of the special care used during your treatment. For instance, if you have skin problems after your treatment ends, be gentle with skin in the treatment area until all signs of irritation are gone. You may need extra rest while your healthy tissues are rebuilding. You may need to limit your activities to conserve your energy and not try to go back to your regular schedule right away.

Pain after therapy

A few patients need help managing pain that continues after radiation therapy. Unless directed by your doctor, do not use a heating pad or warm compress to relieve pain in any area treated with radiation. Talk to your doctor or nurse and describe the location and type of pain in as much detail as possible. Keep working with your cancer team until you are able to get this under control.

You can get more information in our booklet, Pain Control: A Guide for Those with Cancer and Their Loved Ones.

When should I call the doctor?

After treatment, you are likely to be more aware of your body and any slight changes in how you feel from day to day. If you have any of the problems listed below, tell your doctor at once:

• pain that does not go away, especially if it is always in the same place
• lumps, bumps, or swelling
• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, or trouble swallowing
• unexplained weight loss
• fever or cough that doesn't go away
• unusual rashes, bruises, or bleeding
• any other signs mentioned by your doctor or nurse

Do not hesitate to let your doctor know about any new problems or concerns you have. It is always best to find out the cause of a problem so it can be dealt with right away.

What about going back to work?

If you have stopped working, you can return to your job as soon as you and your doctor believe you are up to it. Some people are even able to work during their radiation therapy. If your job requires lifting or heavy physical activity, you may need to change your routine until you have regained your strength.

When you are ready to return to work, learn about your rights regarding your job and health insurance. If you have any questions about employment issues, contact us for help.

What records do I need to keep?

You will want to get copies of your treatment records to keep. It is important that you be able to give any new doctor you might see in the future the exact details of your diagnosis and treatment. Make sure you have the following information handy:

• a copy of your pathology report from any biopsy or surgery
• if you had surgery, a copy of your operative report
• if you had radiation therapy, a copy of your treatment summary
• if you were hospitalized, a copy of the discharge summary that every doctor must prepare when patients are sent home from the hospital
• finally, since some drugs can have long-term side effects, a list of your drugs, drug doses, and when you took them

Any time you see a new doctor, be sure that you make copies of these records and keep your originals for yourself. After a certain period of time, the doctors' offices and hospitals destroy this kind of information.

Last Medical Review: 12/23/2008
Last Revised: 12/23/2008