Fatigue is one of the most common side effects of lung cancer treatment, but it can also be caused by lung cancer itself. Fatigue is a feeling of extreme tiredness that may not be relieved by additional sleep or rest. Lung cancer treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy can all cause fatigue.  

Fatigue can affect your desire and ability to perform everyday tasks, even simple self-care tasks such as bathing and eating. If you’re feeling fatigued, it is important to talk to your healthcare team about ways to treat and manage it. 

Fatigue due to lung cancer treatment is different from the typical feelings of tiredness you may have after losing some sleep or working hard. It can occur gradually or come on suddenly, and it often lasts for weeks or months.  

Symptoms of fatigue can include:  

• Low energy that continues even after resting and sleeping
• Feeling weak or heavy in your body, making it hard to move
• Having trouble concentrating or remembering things
• Low motivation or decreased interest or ability to complete daily activities
• Sudden mood changes

Lung cancer treatments that can cause fatigue include: 

• Chemotherapy  ‍
• Radiation therapy  ‍
• Surgery  ‍
• Targeted therapy  ‍
• Immunotherapy 

When more than one cancer treatment is used, it can increase the likelihood of experiencing fatigue. 

Other lung cancer-related causes of fatigue can include: 

• Stress 
• Sleep problems 
• Pain 
• Depression or anxiety 
• Medications used to treat side effects such as nausea, pain, depression, and anxiety 
• The loss of lung function due to the disease  ‍
• Anemia (low red blood cell count)

Fatigue can be managed by your healthcare team in various ways depending on the cause. Examples include: 

• Relieving depression and anxiety 
• Helping you fall asleep and stay asleep 
• Easing pain 
• Treating anemia (low red blood cell count) 
• Improving your appetite 

Practical tips:

• Exercise if you can, with your healthcare team’s approval, even if it’s just walking around your home. 
• Seek treatment for depression, pain, trouble sleeping, or other health problems that may be adding to your fatigue.  
• Make sure you are eating enough food, getting enough protein, and drinking plenty of liquids.  
• Try sitting rather than standing when doing tasks like grooming, prepping a meal, or showering.  
• Pace yourself, even on days when you are feeling your best.  
• Save your energy by planning, spacing tasks out over time, and organizing all needed items for the task.  
• Get plenty of rest, but don’t nap during the day for more than 1 hour at a time. If needed, a short nap or rest is best.  
• Ask for help with tasks when needed. 
• Attend counseling or support group meetings. 

It’s always a good idea to tell a member of your healthcare team when you notice a side effect from treatment or a symptom that concerns you. Often, these problems can be prevented or eased with help from your healthcare team or through palliative care services. Fatigue is a common side effect of lung cancer treatment, with many options to help manage it. 

Contact your healthcare team if you: 

• Feel your level of fatigue interferes with your quality of life
• Are sleeping too much or too little
• Feel too tired to get out of bed
• Feel confused, forgetful, or foggy
• Have trouble keeping up with daily activities, self-care, work, or relationships
• Notice an increase in pain, anxiety, depression, or muscle aches and weakness, which may be related to cancer fatigue