Dangers of Chemo & Radiation

Chemotherapy and radiation therapy both have variable side effects and potential risks. Dangers associated with chemotherapy are largely dependent on the type of medication used, while the risks of radiation depend on your individual tolerance.

Cardiac Complications

• Heart disease is a complication of radiation therapy at the middle torso. Cardiac toxicity is a side effect of some chemotherapy drugs and may cause symptoms like irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, fatigue and cough.

Pulmonary Complications

• Radiation therapy for lung-related cancers may lead to scarring of your lung tissue, which results in breathing difficulties. Chemotherapy may also cause lung damage, creating symptoms like discomfort in the chest, shortness of breath, fever and cough.

Kidney Complication

• Kidney damage may be caused by certain chemotherapy drugs, particularly when they are given in high doses. Symptoms include diminished energy, abnormal heartbeat, shortness of breath, cough and irregularities in blood test results.

Liver Damage

• Chemotherapy and radiation both can damage your liver. The damage may be mild and without symptoms or more severe with symptoms like jaundice (yellowing of the skin), bleeding problems, fatigue, altered mental status and coma.

Myelosuppression

• Both radiation and chemotherapy can cause lowered blood counts (myelosuppression). Neutropenia (low white blood cells) affects your ability to fight infections. Anemia (low red blood cells) causes symptoms like fatigue and low blood pressure. Thrombocytopenia (low platelets) can lead to abnormal bleeding.

Assessing Your Risks

• Talk to your doctor about the risks associated with your treatment plan, methods to cope with side effects and ways to prevent serious complications.