Lung Cancer Treatment Side Effects
Lung cancer treatment can help control the disease, but it can also cause side effects. Common lung cancer treatment side effects include nausea, fatigue, pain, hair loss, and scarring from surgeries. Below, explore how different treatments cause unique side effects and get help managing them.
What Are the Side Effects of Lung Cancer Treatment?
Lung cancer treatments are designed to destroy cancer cells and tumors. However, healthy cells and tissues can be harmed during treatment, which leads to side effects.
Here are the side effects for each type of lung cancer treatment:
- Chemotherapy targets fast-growing cells, leading to hair loss, nausea, fatigue, and more.
- Immunotherapy activates the immune system to kill lung cancer, but it can cause inflammation in healthy organs like the liver and colon.
- Radiation treatment harms healthy tissues in and around the lungs, causing skin rashes, a cough, and shortness of breath.
- Surgeries for lung cancer can leave scarring at the surgery site and lingering pain. Patients may also need pulmonary rehabilitation to improve their breathing if part or all of a lung was removed.
- Targeted therapy allows doctors to more precisely attack lung cancer cells, but healthy tissues may still be affected. Patients could experience diarrhea, infections, constipation, nausea, and vomiting.
Every person’s experience with side effects from lung cancer treatments is different. The type of lung cancer, its stage, a patient’s overall health, and the treatment plan all influence which side effects develop.
If you or someone you love is struggling with severe or sudden side effects of lung cancer treatment, the first step is to reach out to your health care providers. Doctors can often manage or prevent side effects of lung cancer treatments.
Get our Free Lung Cancer Guide to learn more about lung cancer treatment side effects and how to get the care you deserve.
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Common Lung Cancer Treatment Side Effects
There is a wide range of lung cancer treatment side effects that many patients could suffer from. Several side effects are common across treatment options and lung cancer stages.
Common lung cancer treatment side effects include:
- Anemia (low red blood cell count)
- Constipation
- Difficulty swallowing
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Mental health changes like anxiety or depression
- Mouth sores
- Nausea
- Pain
- Shortness of breath
- Weight loss
- Vomiting
However, many of these lung cancer side effects are manageable with early communication and supportive care. Reporting lung cancer treatment side effects quickly allows your care team to adjust medications or recommend supportive therapies.
“Some side effects are universal. Fatigue tends to be universal. Most people will experience some loss of appetite. So we can talk, up front, about general things to expect from treatment with anybody living with a serious illness.”
– Dr. Sara F. Martin, Lung Cancer Specialist
Lung Cancer Surgery Side Effects
Surgery may be a core part of lung cancer treatment, especially for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Doctors can use a variety of different surgeries to remove tumors and all or part of a lung, depending on the extent of the tumors.
While lung cancer surgery can be life-saving for some, recovery takes time. There’s always a risk of complications and side effects as well.
Common side effects after lung cancer surgery include:
- Bleeding and surgical complications
- Breathlessness
- Fatigue
- Pain at incision sites
- Persistent air leak
- Pneumonia
- Reduced lung function after surgery
- Respiratory failure
- Risk of clots
To more easily recover from lung cancer treatment side effects, follow your doctor’s post-surgery instructions carefully. This may include attending pulmonary rehabilitation to build lung strength, taking pain medications as directed, and noting signs of infections or blood clots.
Doctors may also suggest taking a proactive approach to lung cancer surgery side effects by following medically recommended exercise plans. These can help strengthen your lungs, potentially making recovery easier and side effects less severe.
Lung Cancer Chemotherapy Side Effects
Chemotherapy is commonly used to treat both NSCLC and small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). These drugs circulate throughout the body to destroy cancer cells.
However, lung cancer chemotherapy could hurt other healthy tissues and organs within the body, causing a range of different side effects that impact patients’ daily lives.
Chemo side effects in lung cancer include:
- Anemia
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Hair loss
- Increased infection risk
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea and vomiting
- Numbness and tingling
- Pain
- Skin and nail changes
- Swelling
- Tiredness
Diarrhea was the most commonly reported lung cancer chemotherapy side effect, with 29% of patients experiencing it in a U.S. National Library of Medicine report. Other common side effects were vomiting and constipation, reported in 22.9% and 20.1% of patients, respectively.
Tips for managing side effects of chemotherapy include eating small meals throughout the day, staying hydrated, and using medications to keep nausea in check.
Most lung cancer treatment side effects improve after chemotherapy regimens end, though some long-term ones may require monitoring.
Lung Cancer and Radiation Side Effects
Radiation therapy (also called radiotherapy) uses high-energy beams to target tumors in the lungs. Radiation oncology teams carefully plan treatments to limit damage to healthy tissue, but side effects can still occur.
Common side effects of radiation for lung cancer include:
- Cough
- Diarrhea
- Dyspnea (shortness of breath)
- Hair loss
- Nausea and vomiting
- Pulmonary fibrosis (scarring of lung tissue)
- Radiation esophagitis (throat inflammation)
- Radiation pneumonitis (lung inflammation)
- Skin changes
- Tiredness
Tips for managing lung cancer radiation therapy side effects include eating soft foods if you have trouble swallowing, practicing breathing exercises to keep lung strength up, and using doctor-approved ointments for skin issues.
These lung cancer treatment side effects often build gradually and improve several weeks following radiation therapy. Report any new or sudden changes in your side effects, like serious shortness of breath, immediately.
Struggling with lung cancer treatment side effects? We may be able to help you afford medical care so you can feel better. Call (877) 446-5767 now.
Side Effects of Immunotherapy for Lung Cancer
Immunotherapy works by helping your immune system recognize and attack lung cancer cells. It is commonly used for late-stage lung cancer cases.
However, because immunotherapy activates the immune system, it can sometimes cause inflammation in the lungs, liver, and other healthy organs. This can cause many different and uncomfortable side effects.
Possible side effects of immunotherapy for lung cancer include:
- Diabetes
- Fatigue
- Fever or chills
- Intestinal inflammation (colitis)
- Liver inflammation (hepatitis)
- Lung inflammation (pneumonitis)
- Skin rash
- Thyroid issues
- Weaker muscle function and control (myasthenia gravis)
Many immune-related side effects improve when caught early. If you’re getting immunotherapy for lung cancer and notice any symptoms, make sure to report them promptly to your health care team.
Lung Cancer Targeted Therapy Side Effects
Targeted therapy drugs for lung cancer are designed to block specific genetic mutations found in certain types of lung cancer. Doctors use targeted therapy drugs to attack lung cancer cells and tumors while limiting damage to healthy parts of the body.
Even so, targeted lung cancer treatments still pose a risk of serious side effects and toxicities.
Common targeted lung cancer treatment side effects include:
- Acne-like skin rash
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Infection of fingernails or toenails
- Nausea and vomiting
- Swollen feet and hands
- Vision problems
Routine tests allow your health care professionals to detect changes early and adjust targeted therapy plans as needed to mitigate any side effects.
Emotional Lung Cancer Treatment Side Effects
Lung cancer treatment side effects impact more than the body. The toll of a diagnosis can cause a lot of psychological issues, too.
Lung cancer patients suffered from some of the highest distress levels following a diagnosis. In fact, a Clinical Lung Cancer report found that 43.4% of lung cancer patients suffered from emotional distress, the highest rate out of 13 cancer types.
Additionally, 44% of lung cancer patients suffered PTSD symptoms at the time of diagnosis, and 64% developed symptoms within 6 months.
Emotional side effects of lung cancer include:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Difficulty concentrating
- Emotional exhaustion
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Sleep disruption
It’s completely normal to feel overwhelmed, scared, confused, or sad as you go through lung cancer treatment. However, it’s also crucial to understand that support is available.
Your health care team can recommend counseling, typically through therapists, social workers, or support groups, to manage your mental health after a lung cancer diagnosis.
Palliative Care For Lung Cancer Treatment Side Effects
Palliative care focuses on your comfort and quality of life at any stage of lung cancer, and it can be incredibly helpful in managing symptoms as well as side effects that you may experience.
Palliative care for lung cancer treatment side effects includes:
- Anti-nausea medication
- Mental health counseling for anxiety and depression
- Nutrition and exercise plans for fatigue, weakness, and lung function
- Pain-relieving medication like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
“As scientific evidence is starting to emerge that shows palliative care may actually help patients live longer, many people are becoming aware of its benefits in improving their quality of life during and after cancer treatment.”
— LUNGevity Foundation
Palliative care is not the same thing as hospice care. If you’re getting palliative care for lung cancer, it doesn’t mean you’re going to pass away soon. Palliative options instead support you throughout your journey to make it as painless as possible.
Managing these effects often involves small adjustments, like adding stool softeners or humidifiers to your daily routine.
Get a Free Lung Cancer Guide now for help exploring how palliative care can relieve side effects and help you feel better.
- Understand risk factors
- Find top treatments
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Long-Term Lung Cancer Treatment Side Effects in Survivors
Among those who are considered lung cancer survivors, some side effects still remain, sometimes for years or even decades after. This is because while lung cancer treatments are often effective, they can have a lasting impact on the body.
Lung cancer survivors may experience long-term side effects like:
- Chronic breathlessness
- Heart complications
- Neuropathy (chronic nerve pain)
- Persistent fatigue
- Pleural thickening (hardening of the lung lining)
- Scar tissue around surgery sites
- Swelling in hands, feet, and lymph nodes
Besides physical side effects, lung cancer survivors may struggle with anxiety, depression, or PTSD, often due to factors like survivor’s guilt and fear of recurrence (where the cancer comes back after remission).
MD Anderson Cancer Center notes that lung cancer specialists are working harder than ever to preserve both the quantity and quality of life in patients.
You can also check in with your health care providers to get tips and treatment for issues you’re experiencing even if you’re considered cancer-free.
“Personally, any time I’m engaged in worry, I feel like it’s a waste of precious time. But, it took a conscious effort of years of practice and learning how to face my fears.”
– Dian, lung and breast cancer survivor
Help for Side Effects of Lung Cancer Treatment
Lung cancer treatments are often essential to living longer after a diagnosis, but the risk of side effects can be daunting for patients. But, by working with experienced lung cancer doctors at top cancer centers, patients can access the right treatments for them and get help managing side effects that develop.
At Lung Cancer Group, we stand by patients throughout their cancer journey, helping them to better understand their treatment options, possible side effects, and recovery times.
Connect with us now to:
- Get information about lung cancer treatment side effects
- See if you’re eligible for compensation for lung cancer care
- Receive support during this uncertain time
Call (877) 446-5767 or get a free case review now to find out all the ways that we may be able to assist you or a loved one.
Lung Cancer Treatment Side Effects FAQs
What are the side effects of lung cancer treatment?
Fatigue, nausea, hair loss, shortness of breath, diarrhea, and loss of appetite are all common side effects of lung cancer treatment. These side effects develop because of various cancer treatments’ impact on healthy tissues and organs within your body.
In some cases, patients may also experience toxicities, which are more severe symptoms. Any new or serious lung cancer treatment side effects should be promptly reported to health care providers who can recommend ways to manage them.
How do you know if lung cancer treatment is working?
Your care team will closely monitor your progress as you undergo lung cancer treatments. For example, they can run tests periodically to see how your tumors are reacting to systemic options like chemotherapy or immunotherapy.
You may not be able to tell yourself if therapies are working, in part because lung cancer treatment side effects might make you feel worse temporarily. As a result, making sure that you’re getting care from experienced doctors at top cancer centers is crucial for the best outcomes.
How does lung cancer affect a person's daily life?
Lung cancer can transform someone’s everyday life, from coping with a diagnosis and symptoms to getting treatment and managing potential side effects. In many cases, fighting cancer becomes a top priority.
It’s important to know that it’s possible to live relatively normally even after a lung cancer diagnosis with medical guidance and in accordance with your treatment plan. Doctors can give you a better idea as to how lung cancer could impact your day-to-day life.
Can you completely recover from lung cancer?
A complete recovery from lung cancer may or may not be possible. It depends on the specifics of your case.
For example, those diagnosed with early-stage lung cancer and who are generally healthy otherwise have a better chance of becoming long-term survivors. However, even then, lung cancer survivors may have to cope with long-term side effects that stem from their treatment plan.
How long do side effects of lung cancer care last?
How long the side effects of lung cancer treatments will last depends on which therapies you’re receiving. Some, such as fatigue, may only last through the duration of a particular treatment cycle.
Others, such as changes in taste, surgical scarring, and mental health concerns like anxiety, can become long-term — though there are ways to manage them.
Call (877) 446-5767 now for help affording medical options that could make your lung cancer side effects easier to manage.
When should I call my doctor about lung cancer treatment side effects?
Call your doctors immediately if you experience any new or sudden side effects following lung cancer treatments. These include high fever, worsening breathlessness, severe pain, or persistent vomiting.
In some cases, these could be signs of more significant complications that could be life-threatening.
Can lung cancer treatment side effects be prevented?
Your lung cancer doctors can help to mitigate or lessen any potential lung cancer treatment side effects. While not every side effect is totally avoidable, specialists have many preventative options that they can recommend to make treatment easier for you or someone you love.
