Patient Instructions (Radiation Therapy End-of-Treatment)

Patient Name: [Patient full name]

Date of Birth: [Date of birth]

End-of-Treatment Date: [End-of-treatment date]

Area Treated: [Body area treated, include left/right if relevant]

Radiation Oncology Clinic: [Clinic name] (If unknown, write: "Your Radiation Oncology Clinic")

You have finished your course of radiation therapy. This document explains what to expect next and how to care for yourself.

Your Treatment Summary

You received radiation therapy to your [area treated with laterality if relevant] from [treatment start date] to [treatment end date] for a total of [number] treatment sessions. Keep a copy of this summary and share it with your future doctors. (Omit technical dose details unless provided in plain language in the source.)

What to Expect

(Use a reassuring tone. Explain that side effects may continue or briefly worsen for 1–2 weeks after treatment ends before improving. Include only items relevant to the treated area. Select 2–4 bullets per timeframe.)

In the next few weeks:

• You may feel more tired than usual. Rest helps, and energy usually returns gradually.
• The treated skin may stay sensitive, pink, dry, or itchy for a short time.
• (Include site-specific acute effects as relevant; select up to 2): [If head/neck: Sore throat, dry mouth, changes in taste, or trouble swallowing may continue before getting better.] [If chest/breast: Breast or chest wall tenderness or swelling may persist; mild cough or throat irritation can occur.] [If abdomen: Nausea, reduced appetite, or mild cramping may occur.] [If pelvis: More frequent bowel movements or looser stools; urinary urgency or burning may persist.] [If brain: Headache, scalp tenderness, or patchy hair loss in the treated area may occur.] [If skin/limb/spine: Local soreness or stiffness near the treated area may continue.]

Longer term (months to years):

• Most side effects improve over time. A few late effects are possible and will be monitored at follow-up visits.
• (Include site-specific late effects as relevant; select up to 2): [If head/neck: Dry mouth, dental sensitivity, or taste changes may persist; swallowing therapy can help.] [If chest/breast: Firmness, mild skin color change, or swelling can occur.] [If lung/chest: Mild shortness of breath with exertion may develop.] [If abdomen/pelvis: Changes in bowel or bladder habits may continue; sexual health changes are possible.] [If brain: Changes in memory, concentration, or fatigue may occur and will be monitored.] [If skin/limb/spine: Skin color change or stiffness in the treated area may persist.]

Caring for Yourself

(Include 5–8 bullets total. Use plain language. Include only items relevant to the treated area.)

• Do: Return to activity slowly as your energy allows; short, frequent walks can help.
• Do: Eat balanced meals and drink enough fluids. Small, frequent meals may be easier if your appetite is low.
• Do: Protect treated skin: use gentle, fragrance-free moisturizer; wash with mild soap and lukewarm water; pat dry.
• Avoid: Rubbing, scrubbing, hot tubs, or tanning on the treated skin until fully healed. Once healed, use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) on the area when outside.
• (If head/neck treated) Do: Practice mouth care: gentle brushing, alcohol-free mouth rinse, frequent sips of water; use prescribed mouth rinses as directed.
• (If abdomen/pelvis treated) Do: Choose bland, low-fiber foods if you have diarrhea; use anti-nausea or anti-diarrhea medicines as directed. Avoid: Foods or drinks that irritate your stomach or bladder (such as spicy foods, caffeine, alcohol) if they worsen symptoms.
• (If chest/lung treated) Do: Pace activities; try deep breathing or gentle stretching as instructed. Call if breathing worsens.
• (If breast/limb treated) Do: Perform gentle range-of-motion exercises as instructed to reduce stiffness.
• (If supportive services were recommended) Do: Use support services: [nutrition / speech therapy / physical therapy / occupational therapy / social work]. To schedule, call [service name and phone number]. (If unknown, write: "Call your clinic and ask for a referral to [service].")

When to Get Help

Clinic phone (business hours): [Clinic phone number] (If unknown, write: "Call your Radiation Oncology Clinic using the number on your appointment card or the clinic website.")

After-hours contact: [After-hours number or instructions] (If unknown, write: "After hours, call the main hospital operator and ask for the on-call radiation oncologist.")

CALL the clinic the same day if you have:

• Worsening pain not controlled with your current medicines.
• Fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, chills, or signs of infection at the treated area.
• (Include site-specific warnings as relevant) New or worsening symptoms in the treated area: [head/neck: trouble swallowing liquids, mouth sores preventing hydration] [chest/lung: new or worsening cough, increased shortness of breath] [breast/chest wall: swelling, redness, or warmth that is spreading] [abdomen/pelvis: persistent diarrhea, blood in stool or urine, burning with urination] [brain: worsening headaches, new nausea or vomiting].
• Skin changes that are rapidly worsening, blistering, or draining pus.

GO TO the emergency department or CALL 911 if you have:

• Severe trouble breathing or chest pain.
• Severe headache, confusion, fainting, new weakness, trouble speaking, or a seizure (especially if the brain was treated).
• Signs of severe infection: high fever, shaking chills, or feeling very ill.
• Uncontrolled bleeding or signs of severe dehydration (very dry mouth, dizziness, no urination for 8 hours or longer).

If symptoms arise months or years later, tell any new doctor that you received radiation to your [area treated].

Your Follow-Up Plan

(If scheduled) Your next visit is on [date] at [time] with [clinician name and role] at [location]. The purpose is to check your recovery and discuss next steps.

(If imaging or tests are planned) You are scheduled for [test name] around [approximate timing]. [Clinician or team name] will review the results with you at your follow-up visit.

(If not yet scheduled) You will be contacted within [number, default to 5 if unknown] business days to schedule your follow-up. If you have not heard from us, please call [clinic phone number]. (If number unknown, use the same clinic contact instruction as above.)

(If care is shared with other oncology teams) You will also see [medical oncology / surgical oncology / other specialty] for [purpose of that care].

Medications After Treatment

(Include this section only if the radiation oncology team is actively managing medications after treatment. Omit entirely if none apply.)

• [Medication name]: for [purpose]. Take [dose] [frequency and timing]. [When to stop or how to taper]. Watch for [key side effects to report]; call the clinic if these occur.
• (If a steroid taper is prescribed) Steroid taper schedule:
  • [Date range]: [dose] each morning with food
  • [Date range]: [reduced dose] each morning with food
  • [Date range]: [reduced dose] each morning with food
  • Stop on [date]
  Call if you have trouble sleeping, mood changes, swelling, signs of high blood sugar (increased thirst or urination), or heartburn that does not improve.
• (If an opioid pain medicine is prescribed) To prevent constipation: drink fluids, eat fiber, and take a stool softener or gentle laxative as directed. Call if no bowel movement for 3 days.
• (If mouth rinses or topical agents are prescribed) Use as directed on the label; apply topical agents only to intact skin unless otherwise instructed.