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Radiation to lung
Radiation to the lung lasts approximately five to seven
weeks. The site of the cancer in the lung is included in the treatment field.
Side effects: radiation treatment to the lung do not begin immediately.
Usually, after two or three weeks of treatment the patient will experience some sort of:
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Redness or Itchiness over the skin of
the chest. Various creams or lotions can be prescribed by the radiation oncologist in
order to minimize this symptom. Patients should not place any powders or lotions on the
lung unless instructed by the radiation
oncologist.
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Tiredness: Another side effect from lung
radiation is tiredness. This is usually very mild and becomes more prominent during the
last few weeks of treatment. This side effect, like the skin redness, is completely
reversible and will fade over subsequent weeks.
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Dry cough: some patients will develop a dry
cough because the radiation irritates the lining of the airways.
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Difficulty in swallowing/heartburn:
Patients may also experience difficulty in swallowing or develop heartburn. This is due to
radiation passing through the esophagus.
Remember that these side effects from radiation treatment
are temporary and they will usually disappear several weeks after completion of the
radiation course.
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