MSK nurse practitioner Carol Ann Milazzo describes side effects commonly associated with radiation therapy to the chest.
Radiation can make you feel temporarily fatigued. Because radiation travels through your skin, it can make the treated area look and feel sunburned. This condition is called radiation dermatitis. Other common side effects may include discomfort with swallowing, nausea, cough, and shortness of breath.
You may want to ask your doctors about how to manage these potential side effects during and right after radiation.
Side Effects of Palliative Radiation Therapy to the Chest
Radiation treatment can cause you to feel fatigue, regardless of the site of your treatment.
Cancer-related fatigue is very common, though we don't know the exact mechanism of it. It is temporary, and you will regain some of your energy within a few weeks after your treatment is finished.
Radiation must travel through your skin before it reaches its target. In this process, it may irritate your skin, causing it to look and feel sunburned. This is called radiation dermatitis. It happens when the radiation beams both enter or leave through your skin.
If you are having chest radiation, you may develop irritation of your food pipe, the esophagus, which may feel like heartburn and may make it difficult or painful to swallow certain foods. This is called esophagitis.
You may also develop some nausea. You might also experience a cough or shortness of breath. If these occur, make sure you tell your doctor.
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