Toxicity of the respiratory system is a common side effect and complication of anticancer
therapy that can result in significant morbidity. The range of respiratory compromise can
extend from acute lethal events to degrees of chronic pulmonary decompensation,
manifesting years after the initial cancer therapy. This review examines the anatomic-
histologic background of the lung and the normal functional anatomic unit. The
pathophysiology of radiation and chemotherapy induced lung injury is discussed as well as …