Does radiation therapy cause fatigue?

Yes. Many people who get radiation therapy have fatigue.

Fatigue is feeling exhausted and worn out. With radiation therapy, it can happen all at once or come on slowly over the course of treatment.

People feel fatigue in different ways. You may feel more or less fatigue than someone else who is getting the same amount of radiation to the same part of the body, so it is hard to predict exactly how it will affect you.

Fatigue is one of the most common side effects, but it is not the only one. Other side effects depend on the part of the body being treated. Your doctor or nurse can suggest ways to manage fatigue and help you plan for rest during treatment.