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Chest Cavity Cancer Radiation Treatment & Potential Side Effects

Radiation treatment is used for many different kinds of cancer, including cancers of the chest cavity such as lung and breast cancers. Several potential side effects can occur when radiation therapy is applied to the chest area.

  1. Radiation Therapy

    • According to the National Cancer Institute, radiation therapy uses targeted beams of energy to kill cancer tumor cells. Health care professionals apply radiation directly to a tumor.

    Decreased Surfactant

    • Radiation therapy of the chest can cause a decrease of surfactant in the lungs that the body uses to keep airways open, according to the American Cancer Society. Decreased surfactant can cause shortness of breath, coughing and swallowing difficulties and may be treated with steroids.

    Fibrosis

    • Lungs may develop a scarring called fibrosis when radiation therapy is applied to the chest cavity. Fibrosis can reduce the inflating ability of the lungs and cause shortness of breath.

    Digestive Tract

    • Chest cavity radiation therapy may cause inflammation and swelling of the esophagus, stomach and colon and result in nausea, diarrhea and vomiting. Patients may use antacids to relieve this swelling.

    Other Side Effects

    • Radiation therapy can cause fatigue, skin dryness and skin itching.

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