Coughing is a normal body function that helps to keep your airway clear. It’s one of the most common symptoms of lung cancer, but it can also be a side effect of some lung cancer treatments. The best way to treat your cough is determined by the cause, how severe it is, and whether your cough is dry or wet. Dry coughs do not produce mucus or other fluids, while wet coughs do.
Signs and symptoms of a cough from lung cancer treatment
Coughing caused by lung cancer treatment is most often a dry cough that is chronic, meaning it lasts longer than 3 weeks. Your specific cough symptoms and other health information can help your healthcare team determine the best treatment.
Lung cancer treatments that can cause coughing
Lung cancer treatments, including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and radiation therapy, can cause inflammation in the airway. This inflammation can make it harder for oxygen to flow through the airways, causing your body to cough. Long-term inflammation due to lung cancer treatment can lead to a chronic, dry cough.
Scarring caused by radiation therapy or lung cancer surgery can also cause coughing. As your lungs heal from these treatments, scar tissue forms that can feel foreign to your body and lead to coughing.
Some treatments, such as chemotherapy, can increase your risk of infection, which can cause a cough. This may develop due to a cold or some other type of infection. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have a new cough or develop a fever or other symptoms common with infections.
Managing coughing
To manage a lung cancer cough, at-home methods to reduce irritation and improve comfort can often offer relief.
Practical tips:
- Use a humidifier to keep your throat and nose from getting too dry.
- Drink plenty of water to thin mucous.
- If you suffer from heartburn, avoid foods that make it worse—those same foods can also worsen your cough.
- Avoid smoky places.
- If you currently smoke, try to cut back—your healthcare team can help.
- Avoid hairspray, perfumes, and other sprays that may irritate your throat.
When to contact your healthcare team about coughing
It’s always a good idea to tell a member of your healthcare team or palliative care services when you notice a side effect from treatment or a symptom that concerns you. Often, they can help ease the symptoms.
Contact your healthcare team about coughing if:
- You develop a new cough.
- You see blood and/or colored mucous when coughing.
- Your cough is disturbing your sleep.
- It causes shortness of breath.
- You have a fever greater than 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I find more resources and support?
Contact the GO2 HelpLine at 1-800-298-2436 or email support@go2.org to connect with caring and highly trained staff who listen, answer your questions, and provide support. We offer many free programs and educational resources to meet your needs.
How do I know if my cough is due to lung cancer treatment?
While coughing is a common symptom of lung cancer itself, it can also be caused by lung cancer treatments. Keeping track of when your cough appears over the course of your treatment, whether it is wet or dry, and how severe it is will help your healthcare team determine the cause and how to manage it.
Will my coughing go away if lung cancer treatment is working?
Coughing can occur even when lung cancer treatments are working well. Some treatments can cause inflammation or scarring that causes a cough. If you are concerned about your cough, see blood or colored mucous when you cough, have shortness of breath, or your cough is getting worse, contact your healthcare team right away.