Radiation Therapy Side Effects Lung Cancer Treatment

Other side effects depend on the part of the body that is being treated.

Radiation therapy side effects lung cancer treatment.

The goal is to destroy or damage the cancer without hurting too many healthy 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. Early side effects happen during or shortly after treatment.

This treatment can cause side. 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. To treat the tumor and lymph nodes in the chest. The term radiation therapy most often refers to external beam radiation therapy.

In limited stage sclc it might be used at the same time as chemotherapy chemo. They re usually gone within a few weeks after treatment ends. Because radiation therapy is a localized treatment most side effects develop in the treatment area for lung cancer that is the chest. Different cells and tissues in the body tolerate radiation differently.

Healthy cells in the treatment area can also be damaged even though steps are taken to protect normal tissue as much as possible. Side effects are caused by damage to healthy cells. These side effects tend to be short term mild and treatable. Radiation therapy is one of the treatment options that is recommended for lung cancer.

Depending on the stage of small cell lung cancer sclc and other factors radiation therapy is used. Many people who get radiation therapy experience fatigue. Learn more about possible side effects. Though this therapy is quite effective it could be accompanied by side effects that can range from mild to severe.

Radiation therapy most often uses x rays but protons or other types of energy also can be used. The most common early side effects are fatigue feeling tired and skin changes. Lung cancer is a serious life threatening disease. Radiation therapy uses high energy rays or particles to kill cancer 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. Concern over long term side effects of radiation therapy is becoming more common as survival rates improve. Radiation therapy damages cancer cells. This article would give you some information on the short term and long term side effects.