No, patients who undergo external radiation therapy do not become radioactive. Although some patients have reported a feeling of warmth or tingling in the treatment area, there is usually no pain associated with radiation therapy. The experience is much like getting an X-ray. There may be, but they are generally mild and easily managed, and they usually disappear within a few weeks after the final treatment. The most commonly reported side effects are nausea, loss of appetite and fatigue.
Some patients experience no side effects.
In general, the type of side effect a patient may experience depends on the type of treatment and area of the body being treated. The number of treatments required will be determined by your radiation oncologist. He or she will design a personalized course of treatment to meet your specific needs. In most cases, radiation treatments are given daily Monday through Friday over a period of four to seven weeks. You should plan on an hour for each appointment, but the radiation treatment itself usually takes just a few minutes.