Shortness of breath
Shortness of breath means feeling like you cannot get enough air. It can be scary, and it should always be checked.
Why it happens
It can come from the cancer, fluid around the lungs, anemia, blood clots, infection, or heart problems. Radiation to the chest and some drugs, including immunotherapy, can inflame the lungs.
What helps
- Sit up and lean forward slightly, resting your arms on a table.
- Try pursed-lip breathing: breathe in through your nose, then out slowly through pursed lips.
- Use a small fan pointed toward your face.
- Pace yourself and take breaks during activities.
- Avoid smoke, and ask about help to quit if you smoke.
- Ask about pulmonary rehab or breathing exercises.
Call your care team right away if you have
- Your shortness of breath is new or getting worse.
- You have a fever, cough, or chest pain with it.
- Call 911 if you have sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, blue lips, or cannot speak in full sentences.
Questions to ask
- What might be causing my shortness of breath?
- Do I need a scan, oxygen, or fluid drained from my lungs?
- Could any of my treatments be affecting my lungs?
Medicines that can cause this
- Amivantamab
- Apixaban
- Capmatinib
- Carfilzomib
- Dasatinib
- Denosumab
- Gilteritinib
- Isatuximab
- Ivosidenib
- Lurbinectedin
- Niraparib
- Olaparib
- Pomalidomide
- Rucaparib
- Ruxolitinib
- Talazoparib
- Zoledronic acid
Sources
Quick answers
- What is shortness of breath during cancer treatment?
- Shortness of breath means feeling like you cannot get enough air. It can be scary, and it should always be checked.
- Why does shortness of breath happen?
- It can come from the cancer, fluid around the lungs, anemia, blood clots, infection, or heart problems. Radiation to the chest and some drugs, including immunotherapy, can inflame the lungs.
- What helps with shortness of breath?
- Sit up and lean forward slightly, resting your arms on a table; Try pursed-lip breathing: breathe in through your nose, then out slowly through pursed lips; Use a small fan pointed toward your face; Pace yourself and take breaks during activities; Avoid smoke, and ask about help to quit if you smoke; Ask about pulmonary rehab or breathing exercises.
- When should I call my care team about shortness of breath?
- Your shortness of breath is new or getting worse; You have a fever, cough, or chest pain with it; Call 911 if you have sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, blue lips, or cannot speak in full sentences.
Last updated: 2026-10-27. Medically reviewed by Veli Bakalov, MD, medical oncologist (October 2026). General education from Step by Step, the patient portal of HemeOncBuddy.