The goal of lung cancer surgery is to remove all tumor tissue, along with a small portion of surrounding healthy tissue, to ensure that all probable cancer tissue is removed. Side effects from surgery can include pain on the side of the body where surgery occurred, numbness, and scarring at the surgery site.

Chemotherapy treatment may involve one or more chemotherapy drugs given together through an IV (a small tube placed in your vein). It works by killing fast-growing and dividing cells, such as cancer cells.

You will receive chemotherapy in cycles followed by a rest period. This cycle often repeats every 3 weeks. Other medications, such as steroids or anti-nausea medicines, may also be added to your chemotherapy as needed. All the medicines together are sometimes called a “chemo cocktail.”Chemotherapy’s side effects can include nausea, vomiting, loss of taste or appetite, hair loss, and fatigue. It can also cause low white blood cell and red blood cell counts, nerve pain, shortness of breath, coughing, sore throat and mouth sores.

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Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams to kill or shrink cancer cells and is often combined with chemotherapy, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy. It can also be used to help manage pain if the cancer has spread. The side effects of radiation therapy depend on the amount of radiation and the area of the body receiving the treatment.

The side effects of radiation may include fatigue, skin irritation, and/or hair loss in the area where radiation is targeted, sore throat and trouble swallowing if radiation is given near the throat, or diarrhea if aimed near the lower stomach. In some cases, radiation to the brain may cause short-term memory loss.

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Immunotherapy is given through an IV (a small tube placed in your vein) to help your body’s immune system fight lung cancer. Treatment for lung cancer sometimes includes a chemotherapy and immunotherapy combination.

The side effects of immunotherapy can include fatigue, rash, cough, itching, joint pain, muscle aches, sore throat and a sore mouth. It may also lead to shortness of breath and problems falling or staying asleep.

Targeted therapy is a cancer treatment that is given by mouth or through an IV (a small tube placed in your vein). It works by attacking a “target” on your exact type of cancer cells. Biomarker testing is required prior to beginning targeted therapy to ensure you have one of the specific targets for this type of treatment.

Each type of targeted therapy will have specific side effects. Common side effects can include rash, diarrhea, vision changes, tiredness, nausea, sore throat, or heart and lung problems.

Combination therapy is when more than one type of cancer treatment is used at a time. It’s a common practice to use combination therapy as it’s often more effective in fighting cancer than using a single treatment type.

The risks of having side effects are increased with combination therapy, and some side effects can be more severe. The types of side effects that can occur with combination therapy will depend on which treatments are combined.