Abdominal radiation - discharge

You had radiation treatment for cancer. The high-powered radiation (such as x-rays or gamma rays), particles, or radioactive seeds used to kill cancer cells can cause side effects to your digestive system and skin.

About 1 to 2 weeks after radiation treatment starts, you might notice changes in your skin within the treatment area. Most of these symptoms go away after your treatments have stopped. However, you may find that your skin in the treatment area:

• May begin to get red
• Might start to peel or get dark
• May itch

Your body hair will fall out after about 2 weeks, but only in the area being treated. When your hair grows back, it may be different than before.

Around the second or third week after radiation treatments start, you may have side effects including:

• Frequent small bowel movements
• Diarrhea
• Cramping in your belly
• Excessive gas and bloating
• An upset stomach
• Nausea or vomiting
• Decreased appetite

When you have radiation treatment planning, sometimes temporary color markings are drawn on your skin with a magic marker for alignment. Ask your provider if these marks can be removed. Sometimes permanent tattoos (that look like little black or blue dots) are used instead. These marks will not come off if you bathe. Always ask your provider before removing any marks.

To take care of the treatment area:

• Wash gently with lukewarm water only. Don't scrub.
• Use a mild soap that doesn't dry out your skin.
• Pat your skin dry.
• Don't use lotions, ointments, makeup, perfumed powders, or products on the treatment area. Ask your provider what you should use.
• Keep the area that is being treated out of the direct sun.
• Don't scratch or rub your skin.
• Don't put a heating pad or an ice bag on the treatment area.

Your provider may recommend soaking in room temperature water. Tell your provider if you have any breaks or openings in your skin.

Your provider may prescribe medicines to help soothe the skin and prevent infection. Wear loose-fitting clothing around your stomach and pelvis.

You will likely feel tired after a few weeks. If so:

• Don't try to do too much. You probably will not be able to do everything you used to.
• Try to get more sleep at night. Rest during the day when you can.
• Take a few weeks off work, or work less.
• Ask your provider for a medical excuse or leave of absence form if needed.

Ask your provider before taking any medicines or other remedies for an upset stomach.

Don't eat for 4 hours before your treatment. If your stomach feels upset just before your treatment:

• Try a bland snack, such as toast or crackers and apple juice.
• Try to relax. Read, listen to music, or do a crossword puzzle.

If your stomach is upset right after radiation treatment:

• Wait 1 to 2 hours after your treatment before eating.
• Your provider may prescribe medicines to help.

For an upset stomach:

• Stay on the special diet that your provider or dietitian recommends for you.
• Eat small meals and eat more often during the day.
• Eat and drink slowly.
• Don't eat foods that are high in fat or fried in any oils.
• Drink cool liquids between meals.
• Eat foods that are cool or at room temperature, instead of warm or hot. Cooler foods will smell less.
• Choose foods with a mild odor.
• Try a clear, liquid diet -- water, weak tea, apple juice, peach nectar, clear broth, and plain Jell-O.
• Eat bland food, such as dry toast or Jell-O.

To help with diarrhea:

• Try a clear, liquid diet.
• Don't eat raw fruits and vegetables and other high-fiber foods, coffee, beans, cabbage, whole grain breads and cereals, sweets, or spicy foods.
• Eat and drink slowly.
• Don't drink milk or eat any other dairy products if they bother your bowels.
• When the diarrhea starts to improve, eat small amounts of low-fiber foods, such as white rice, bananas, applesauce, mashed potatoes, low-fat cottage cheese, and dry toast.
• Eat foods that are high in potassium (bananas, potatoes, and apricots) when you have diarrhea.

Eat enough protein and calories to keep your weight up.

Your provider may check your blood counts regularly, especially if the radiation treatment area is large.

Contact your provider if you have pain that doesn't go away, a fever, blood in your stool, severe diarrhea or vomiting, or blistering of the skin.

Radiation - abdomen - discharge; Cancer - abdominal radiation; Lymphoma - abdominal radiation

American Cancer Society website. Radiation therapy side effects. www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/treatment-types/radiation/effects-on-different-parts-of-body.html. Updated June 9, 2025. Accessed February 19, 2026.

Doroshow JH. Approach to the patient with cancer. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 164.

Matthews NS, Moustafa F, Kaskas NM, Robinson-Bostom L, Pappas-Taffer L. Dermatologic toxicities of anticancer therapy. In: Niederhuber JE, Armitage JO, Kastan MB, Doroshow JH, Tepper JE, eds. Abeloff's Clinical Oncology. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 41.

National Cancer Institute website. Radiation therapy and you: support for people with cancer. www.cancer.gov/publications/patient-education/radiation-therapy-and-you.pdf. Updated April 2021. Accessed February 19, 2026.

Updated by: David Herold, MD, Radiation Oncologist in Jupiter, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.