Radiation Therapy Side Effects Lung Cancer Treatment

Learn more about possible side effects.

Radiation therapy side effects lung cancer treatment.

To treat the tumor and lymph nodes in the chest. Radiation therapy is one of the treatment options that is recommended for lung cancer. Radiation therapy uses high energy rays or particles to kill cancer cells. Radiation therapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses beams of intense energy to kill cancer cells.

Giving chemo and radiation together is called concurrent chemoradiation. Healthy cells in the treatment area can also be damaged even though steps are taken to protect normal tissue as much as possible. Early and late effects of radiation therapy. In limited stage sclc it might be used at the same time as chemotherapy chemo.

Different cells and tissues in the body tolerate radiation differently. Because radiation therapy is a localized treatment most side effects develop in the treatment area for lung cancer that is the chest. The term radiation therapy most often refers to external beam radiation therapy. Lung cancer is a serious life threatening disease.

The goal is to destroy or damage the cancer without hurting too many healthy cells. Though this therapy is quite effective it could be accompanied by side effects that can range from mild to severe. Early side effects happen during or shortly after treatment. Radiation therapy has side effects because it not only kills or slows the growth of cancer cells it can also affect nearby healthy cells.

Just as there can be long term side effects of chemotherapy radiation therapy may result in side effects that may begin and linger far after treatment has been completed these can include heart problems lung problems thyroid problems secondary cancers and more but it s important. This article would give you some information on the short term and long term side effects. Radiation therapy treats cancer by using high energy waves to kill tumor cells. This treatment can cause side.

Radiation therapy damages cancer cells. Concern over long term side effects of radiation therapy is becoming more common as survival rates improve. They re usually gone within a few weeks after treatment ends. Recent research advances and new technology have facilitated highly precise radiation delivery techniques which can reduce the impact on surrounding healthy tissue and the likelihood of side effects.

Many people who get radiation therapy experience fatigue. Radiation therapy most often uses x rays but protons or other types of energy also can be used. These side effects tend to be short term mild and treatable. Other side effects depend on the part of the body that is being treated.