Tests and Treatments
Lung problems
Sometimes chemotherapy and radiotherapy can damage the lungs.
- This could happen if you've had radiotherapy to your chest or upper back - for example, for Hodgkin's Lymphoma or a spinal tumour.
- Chemotherapy drugs such as bleomycin can cause inflammation of the lungs, which can also cause breathlessness. If you have a lot of bleomycin treatment, it can cause permanent breathlessness from scarring (fibrosis) in the lung.
- Doctors are very aware of this long term side effect though, and will make sure you don’t have too much of this drug.
Remember: This doesn't happen to everyone – it depends on the treatment that you've had. If your doctors think you might be at risk of this, they will tell you and you'll have regular checks with lung function tests.
Last updated 12 October 2011
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