Good skin care is important at this time. The doctor may suggest certain kinds of soap, and patients should not use any lotion or cream on the skin without the doctor's advice. Radiation to the chest and neck can cause a dry, sore throat or a dry cough. Drinking extra liquids may be helpful, and doctors sometimes suggest cough medicine. If burning, tightness, or other pain makes it hard to swallow, the doctor may suggest a local anesthetic or soothing gargle to use before meals.
Some patients find that antacids help relieve feelings of indigestion.
A small number of patients feel short of breath during radiation therapy. The doctor may prescribe medicine to relieve this problem. The side effects of chemotherapy depend on the drugs that are given. In general, anticancer drugs affect cells that divide rapidly. These include blood cells, which fight infection, cause the blood to clot, or carry oxygen to all parts of the body.