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The radiation therapy is part of lung cancer care and it is recommended by oncologists depending on the type of tumor, its location, and the response rates to radiation therapy. The most common side effects of radiation therapy are burning of the skin in the radiation field, fatigue, and a temporary increase in pain. The pain is not caused only by the superficial damage to the skin, but also by inflammation of the deeper layers that lay under the skin like the fat and the fascia of the muscle.
Your palliative care and cancer care specialists will advise you on what to do to prevent as many of the side effects as possible and treat them when they occur.
Glossary:
Fascia – tissue that connects between internal parts of the body
Inflammation – redness and swelling that happens when the body is defending itself against harmful microbes such as viruses and bacteria
Oncologists – cancer doctors
Palliative care – specialized medical care and support for someone living with a serious or terminal illness
Radiation therapy – cancer treatment that destroys cancer cells using high levels of radiation
