Home Care After Radiation Therapy

Here's what to do at home following radiation therapy.

Skin Care

  • Don’t scrub or use soap on the treated area.
  • Ask your therapy team which lotion to use.
  • Avoid sun on the treated area. Ask your therapy team about using a sunscreen.
  • Don’t remove ink marks unless your radiation therapist says it’s okay. Don’t scrub or use soap on the marks when you wash. Let water run over them and pat them dry.
  • Protect your skin from heat or cold. Avoid hot tubs, saunas, heating pads, and ice packs.
  • Wear soft, loose clothing to avoid rubbing your skin.

Other Home Care

  • Stock up on easy-to-prepare foods.
  • Eat foods high in protein and calories.
  • Drink plenty of water and other fluids, unless directed otherwise.
  • Ask your doctor before taking any vitamins.
  • Be prepared for hair loss in the area being treated.
  • If your mouth or throat becomes dry or sore, sip cool water. Ice chips may also help.

Follow-Up
Make a follow-up appointment as directed by your physician.

While clinical studies support the effectiveness of the da Vinci Surgical System when used in minimally invasive surgery, individual results may vary. There are no guarantees of outcome. All surgeries involve the risk of major complications. Before you decide on surgery, discuss treatment options with your doctor. Understanding the risks of each treatment can help you make the best decision for your individual situation. Surgery with the da Vinci Surgical System may not be appropriate for every individual; it may not be applicable to your condition. Always ask your doctor about all treatment options, as well as their risks and benefits. Only your doctor can determine whether da Vinci Surgery is appropriate for your situation. The clinical information and opinions, including any inaccuracies expressed in this material by patients or doctor about da Vinci Surgery are not necessarily those of Intuitive Surgical, Inc. and should not be considered as substitute for medical advice provided by your doctor. All persons depicted are models unless otherwise noted. © 2011 Intuitive Surgical. All rights reserved. Intuitive, Intuitive Surgical, da Vinci, da Vinci S, da Vinci Si, Single-Site,  InSite, TilePro and EndoWrist are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intuitive Surgical. All other product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

Find a da Vinci Surgeon

Search for:

Search the website