Radiation Therapy for Lung Cancer Patients

Also known as radiotherapy, radiation treatments are an effective tool to treat lung cancer.  This treatment consists of accurately directing radiation beams to the tumor itself and/or to surrounding areas that could also contain malignant cells.  The treatments are given under the care of a physician specialized in radiotherapy, the radiation oncologist. Radiation may be used as alternative to surgery or may be given after surgery with or without chemotherapy.

The process of getting a radiation treatment is very similar to having an X-ray taken.  Patients are not enclosed, nor do they feel any discomfort when receiving the treatment.  The difference is that radiation treatments use higher energy X-rays, directed with precision to a specific target, to kill malignant cells present in the area.  Before starting radiotherapy, the radiation oncologist will obtain a CT or CAT scan in the radiotherapy department.  The doctor will use these images to outline the area that should receive treatment, as well as design a treatment plan that will protect the normal tissues as much as possible.

Side Effects
Patients may develop an irritation of the esophagus, which may cause soreness or pain with swallowing.  They may also develop redness over the chest where the radiation is being given.  Some patients complain of fatigue during treatment.  Most of the side effects resolve fairly quickly after ending radiation therapy.

Radiation is administered daily from Monday through Friday and usually will last for about seven weeks.  The time spent in the treatment area is typically about fifteen minutes.  If radiation treatment is prescribed for you, give yourself about forty minutes from the time you walk into the office to the time you leave.