What are the common side effects of radiation therapy to the lung?
The most common side effects of radiation therapy for lung cancer are: • esophagitis (difficulty swallowing due to inflammation of the esophagus, the muscular tube between the mouth and stomach) • pneumonitis (inflammation of the normal lung surrounding the tumor). Both of these conditions are usually self-limited and improve after treatment is completed. Other side effects that may occur include fatigue, cough, and mild to moderate redness of the skin in the treatment area (similar to sunburn). Tell your radiation oncologist or nurse about any discomfort you may feel.
