Does radiation pneumonia need treatment?

Radiation pneumonitis is an inflammatory reaction caused by lung cancer, breast cancer, esophageal cancer, or other malignant tumors of the chest. After radiation therapy, normal lung tissue in the radiation field is damaged and caused. In mild patients, the inflammation usually resolves on its own, so we generally do not need treatment for patients with mild symptoms. However, in severe patients, extensive fibrosis of the lungs can occur, resulting in respiratory damage and even respiratory failure. Such patients need active symptomatic treatment.