What Are The Side Effects Of Radiation Therapy?

Shortness Of Breath

A common side effect seen in individuals who undergo radiation therapy is shortness of breath during and following treatment sessions. This symptom is most common in patients receiving radiation therapy targeted at their upper abdomen, neck, or chest. Most cases are also the result of radical radiotherapy, an intensive course of radiation used to cure cancer. Radiation therapy uses targeted beams of very concentrated particles or energy that damage the DNA of cancerous cells. This cellular DNA damage caused by the radiation beams inhibits the growth and division of cancerous cells if it does not eliminate them.

While radiation therapy has come a long way, it can still damage the healthy tissues around the region being treated. Radiation beams can hit the fragile tissues of a patient's lungs, causing inflammation. This type of lung inflammation is referred to as acute radiation pneumonitis and causes shortness of breath.

Discover additional side effects of radiation therapy now.