Chest radiation - discharge

You had radiation treatment for cancer. The high-powered radiation (such as x-rays or gamma rays), particles, or radioactive seeds used to kill cancer cells can cause side effects.

About 1 to 2 weeks after your first treatment:

• It may be hard to swallow, or swallowing may hurt.
• Your throat may feel dry or scratchy.
• You may develop a cough.
• Your skin over the treated area may turn red, start to peel, get dark, or it may itch.
• Your body hair may fall out, but only in the area or region being treated. You will not lose all the hair on your body from radiation therapy. When your hair grows back, it may be different than before in texture and color.
• You may develop a fever, more mucus when you cough, or feel more out of breath.

After your treatment is over, if you notice a dry cough and worsening shortness of breath, this could be a side effect of radiation treatment to the lungs called radiation pneumonitis. Make sure you let your provider know if you have this, as it is potentially treatable.

When you have radiation treatment planning, sometimes temporary color markings are drawn on your skin with a magic marker for alignment. Ask you provider if these marks can be removed. Other times permanent tattoos (that look like little black or blue dots) are used instead. These marks will not come off if you bathe. Always ask your provider before removing any marks.

To take care of the treatment area:

• Wash gently with lukewarm water only. Don't scrub.
• Use a mild soap that doesn't dry out your skin.
• Pat your skin dry.
• Don't use lotions, ointments, makeup, perfumed powders, or products on the treatment area. Ask your provider what you should use.
• Keep the area that is being treated out of the direct sun.
• Don't scratch or rub your skin.
• Don't put a heating pad or an ice bag on the treatment area.

Your provider may recommend soaking in room temperature water. Tell your provider if you have any breaks or openings in your skin.

Your provider may prescribe medicines to help soothe the skin and prevent infection. Wear loose-fitting clothing around your chest.

You will likely feel tired after a few days. If so:

• Don't try to do too much in a day. You probably will not be able to do everything you are used to doing.
• Try to get more sleep at night. Rest during the day when you can.
• Take a few weeks off work, or work less.
• Ask your provider if you need a medical excuse or leave of absence form.

You need to eat enough protein and calories to keep your weight up.

To make eating easier:

• Choose foods that you like.
• Try foods with gravy, broths, or sauces. They will be easier to chew and swallow.
• Eat small meals and eat more often during the day.
• Cut your food into small pieces.
• Ask your provider or dentist if artificial saliva might help you.

Drink at least 8 to 12 cups (c) or 2 to 3 liters (L) of liquid each day, not including coffee or tea, or other drinks that have caffeine in them.

Don't drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes or cigars, or eat spicy foods, acidic foods, or foods that are very hot or cold. These will bother your throat and slow healing.

If pills are hard to swallow, try crushing them and mixing them with ice cream or other soft food. Ask your provider or pharmacist before crushing your medicines. Some medicines do not work when crushed.

Watch out for these signs of lymphedema (fluid buildup) in your arm:

• You have a feeling of tightness in your arm.
• Rings on your fingers get tighter.
• Your arm feels weak.
• You have pain, aching, or heaviness in your arm.
• Your arm is red, swollen, or there are signs of infection.

Ask your provider about exercises you can do to keep your arm moving freely.

Try using a humidifier or vaporizer in your bedroom or main living area. Do not smoke cigarettes, cigars, or pipes. Do not chew tobacco.

Try sucking on sugar-free candy to add saliva to your mouth.

Mix one half teaspoon (tsp) or 3 grams (g) of salt and one quarter tsp or 1.4 g of baking soda in 8 ounces (oz) or 237 milliliters (ml) of warm water. Gargle with this solution several times a day. Do not use store-bought mouthwashes or lozenges.

You can ask your provider for medicine to help alleviate pain with swallowing if you are unable to eat enough food.

For a cough that does not go away:

• Ask your provider which cough medicine is OK to use (it should have low alcohol content).
• Drink enough fluids to keep your mucus thin.

Your provider may check your blood counts regularly, especially if the radiation treatment area is large.

Contact your provider if you have pain that doesn’t go away, a fever, severe vomiting or diarrhea, cough, or blistering of the skin.

Radiation - chest - discharge; Cancer - chest radiation; Lymphoma - chest radiation; Thoracic radiation - lung cancer

American Cancer Society website. Radiation therapy side effects. www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/treatment-types/radiation/effects-on-different-parts-of-body.html. Updated June 9, 2025. Accessed February 19, 2026.

Doroshow JH. Approach to the patient with cancer. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 164.

Machtay M, Teba CV. Pulmonary complications of anticancer treatment. In: Niederhuber JE, Armitage JO, Kastan MB, Doroshow JH, Tepper JE, eds. Abeloff's Clinical Oncology. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 47.

Matthews NS, Moustafa F, Kaskas NM, Robinson-Bostom L, Pappas-Taffer L. Dermatologic toxicities of anticancer therapy. In: Niederhuber JE, Armitage JO, Kastan MB, Doroshow JH, Tepper JE, eds. Abeloff's Clinical Oncology. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 41.

National Cancer Institute website. Radiation therapy and you: support for people with cancer. www.cancer.gov/publications/patient-education/radiation-therapy-and-you.pdf. Updated April 2021. Accessed February 19, 2026.

Updated by: David Herold, MD, Radiation Oncologist in Jupiter, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.