INSTRUCTIONS FOR PATIENTS UNDERGOING RADIATION TREATMENTS TO THE CHEST This information is designed to answer some of your possible questions during radiation treatments. SKIN CARE Your skin may become red and irritated a couple weeks into your treatment. This will be a temporary reaction and usually heals within a couple weeks after the completion of your treatment. Remember, treat the area as you would sunburn and avoid any type of irritation, including direct contact with the sun. Do not apply heat, ice or tape to the area. The staff may recommend the use of over-the-counter ointments available at The Regional Cancer Center or at most drug stores. You should not have any ointment on your skin when you come for the treatment. Cleanse the area with a mild soap and water and pat the area dry, being careful not to remove any marks placed on your skin for treatment. NUTRITIONAL CARE Maintaining your weight during treatment is very important, even if you are overweight. Why is this so? Patients who eat well are able to withstand the side effects of treatments better. A balanced diet can help you maintain your strength and prevent body tissues from breaking down. Adequate protein in your diet helps to rebuild the normal tissues that may be affected by the treatments. Difficulty in swallowing is a common reaction to this type of treatment if the treated area extends across the center of your chest. You may not experience a sore throat, but the food will seem to stick part way down. This is normal, and above all, don't panic. Allow the food a little extra time to go down and take extra liquids with your meals. Avoid very coarse foods or anything that may irritate your throat. Chew foods well and, if necessary, eat softer foods. Try to avoid extreme temperatures, such as very hot or iced drinks as these can irritate the throat. Citrus fruits and juices, tomato products, and carbonated beverages should be avoided if they irritate your throat. It is very important that you keep up good nutrition during your treatments. If a large meal is unappetizing, then eat smaller portions more often (5 meals per day instead of 3). A feeling of tiredness or fatigue often accompanies the treatments, but it will become progressively worse if your nutritional intake is not adequate. Many patients ask about vitamin pills. The best source of vitamins and minerals is foods. During illness, your food intake may be less than optimal, and a vitamin and mineral supplement may be needed. The best choice is a balanced multiple vitamin/mineral supplement which contains up to 100% of the "Daily Value" of most nutrients. It is not a good idea to take "mega-doses" of any vitamin or mineral, including the antioxidant nutrients, as they may interfere with the effectiveness of your treatments. Fruits and vegetables are the best sources for naturally occurring antioxidants. It is recommended that you do not smoke or drink alcohol during your radiation treatments, as these will be irritating to your throat and may increase your radiation reaction in the treated area. CHANGES THAT MAY OCCUR: You may find that it is either hard to swallow or that it hurts to swallow. You may even develop a cough or fever. You may also notice that when you cough, the amount and the color of the mucus are different. You may possibly notice blood tinged mucus. Shortness of breath is also common. Fatigue and/or anorexia (loss of appetite) may occur also. Inform your physician if you experience any of these symptoms. Your physician may be able to treat these symptoms with medications, suggest a soft bland diet, order oxygen or suggest altering your activities of daily living to reduce feelings of fatigue. Remember, ask any questions when you have them. We are happy to help you! Return To Commonly Asked Questions