Other complications from Chest Radiation

Other complications from chest radiation include:

• A higher risk of breast cancer
• Inflammation and scarring of lung tissue (called radiation pneumonitis)
• Heart problems, such as narrowing of the coronary arteries and heart failure
• Inflammation and scarring of the lining around the heart (called pericarditis)

The risk of complications from radiation increases when the person is treated with chemotherapy and radiation therapy. The combination increases the risk of other cancers, including:

• Leukemia, a cancer of the white blood cells
• Other types of lymphomas called non-Hodgkin lymphoma
• Non-melanoma skin cancer

In the past, radiation was used on some tissues and organs in the abdomen. This could damage the kidney, leading to kidney failure and high blood pressure. This tends to be uncommon today, as radiation to this area is less frequently used.

Other side effects from chest radiation may include dry mouth, mouth sores and difficulty swallowing.