It is often a necessary part of cancer treatment. It affects normal cells and cancer cells during active cycles of cell division. In children, because all cells are dividing for growth, radiation therapy may damage many normal body cells in addition to cancer cells. The amount of radiation damage depends on factors such as the type and amount of radiation given, the part of the body treated, the age of the patient at the time of treatment, and the type of chemotherapy or drug therapy used. Individuals treated with high-dose radiation at young age are at greatest risk for radiation damage.
Radiation affects normal cells by preventing growth in bone, soft tissues and muscles.
Adults who had radiation therapy to one side of the body during childhood may have less fat, muscle, and other soft tissues on the irradiated side of the body. This difference, called asymmetry, may become more noticeable with weight gain. Maintaining normal weight will make this problem less noticeable. The kidney help regulate blood pressure. Blood pressure is a measure of the push of blood against the walls of the arteries.