Radiation Therapy for Lung Cancer

Facts About Lung Cancer Internal Radiation Types of Lung Cancer Possible Side Effects Treating Lung Cancer Caring For Yourself During Treatment Understanding Radiation Therapy PDF Brochure External Beam Radiation Therapy Helpful Links

Facts About Lung Cancer

• Lung cancer is the second most diagnosed cancer in men and women,but it is the number one cause of death from
  cancer each year in both men and women.
• According to the American Cancer Society, 215,000 Americans will be diagnosed with lung cancer this year.
• Cigarette smoking is the most common cause of lung cancer. Exposure to asbestos, radon, environmental factors and secondhand smoke can also cause lung cancer.

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There are two main types of lung cancer, non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer. These names refer to how a cancer looks under the microscope.

• Non-small cell lung cancer is the most common type of lung cancer and accounts for 80 percent of cases. There are different types of non-small cell lung cancer, including squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, bronchioalveolar carcinoma and large cell undifferentiated carcinoma.
• Small cell lung cancer is less common and accounts for
  20 percent of cases. Although the cells are small, they
  multiply quickly and can form large tumors that may spread throughout the body. This type of lung cancer is almost always due to smoking.

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Lung cancer treatment depends on several factors, including the type and stage of the lung cancer and your overall health. The main treatment options are surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. New treatments are also showing promise.

• Non-small cell lung cancer is usually treated with surgery,
  radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
• Small cell lung cancer most often is treated with radiation
  therapy and chemotherapy.

Many different healthcare professionals will be involved in
your care.

• Thoracic surgeons use surgery to remove cancerous
  tumors and tissue from the chest. They usually have
  specialized training in cancer surgery.
• Medical oncologists are physicians specializing in treating
  cancer using various chemotherapy drugs.
• Radiation oncologists are doctors who specialize in using
  radiation to treat cancer.Non-small cell lung cancer may be treated with radiation therapy, surgery and chemotherapy.

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Understanding Radiation Therapy

• Radiation therapy, sometimes called radiotherapy, is the use of high-energy X-rays to safely and effectively kill cancer cells.
• Radiation oncologists use radiation therapy to try to cure
  cancer, to control tumor growth or to relieve symptoms,
  such as pain.
• Radiation therapy works within cancer cells by damaging
  their ability to multiply. When these cells die, the body
  naturally eliminates them.
• Healthy cells are also affected by radiation, but they are able to repair themselves in a way cancer cells cannot.

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External Beam Radiation Therapy

External beam radiation therapy is the safe delivery of high-energy X-rays to your cancer. A radiation-delivery machine (called a linear accelerator) focuses the radiation beam to a precise location in your body for an exact period of time. Radiation is given in a series of daily treatments, Monday through Friday, for several weeks. Treatments are painless and last less than 30 minutes.

• Radiation therapy uses multiple radiation fields to deliver
  high doses of radiation to the cancer while minimizing the
  radiation received by surrounding healthy cells.
• Three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT)
  combines multiple radiation treatment fields to deliver
  precise doses of radiation to the lung tumor. Radiation
  oncologists are able to tailor each of the radiation beams to
  focus on the tumor while protecting nearby healthy tissue.
• Intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) is a
  specialized form of 3D-CRT that modifies the radiation by
  varying the intensity of each radiation beam. IMRT is still
  being studied for lung cancer.
• Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is a
  specialized form of 3D-CRT that delivers high doses of
  radiation to small and very precisely defined targets over
  a shortened course of therapy, often in as few as three to
  five treatments. SBRT is currently being studied for the
  treatment of selected patients with lung cancer.
• Doctors are also studying a type of external beam radiation
  therapy that uses proton beams rather than X-rays. Proton
  beam therapy is only available at a few clinics in the U.S.
  and may allow doctors to better keep radiation away from
  other parts of the body that don’t need treatment.

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Internal Radiation

• Internal radiation or brachytherapy is the placement of radioactive material into or near your tumor.
• Before treatment your doctor will place one or two thin plastic tubes or catheters into your nose and into the airways of the lung where the tumor is located.
• The tube or tubes are then connected to a brachytherapy machine. The tube serves as a channel to deliver a dose of radiation by briefly placing a tiny radioactive source near the lung tumor. The source is often the size of tiny seeds or
  ribbons.

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Possible Side Effects

Side effects are different for everyone. Some patients feel fine during treatment while others may feel uncomfortable.

• Possible problems may include skin irritation (redness, tanning, dryness), difficulty or pain when swallowing, and fatigue.
• Lung radiation may cause shortness of breath. This may be temporary or permanent depending on your cancer and its treatment.
• With radiation therapy to the chest, you will likely lose hair on your chest, but not the hair on your head. Chest radiation will not affect your ability to have children.
• Talk to your doctor about any discomfort or pain you may feel. He or she can provide treatments or medications to help.
• Everyone responds differently to the stress of cancer and treatment. Doctors, nurses, social workers and support groups are available to help.

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Get plenty of rest during treatment, and don't be afraid to ask for help.

• Follow your doctor’s orders. In many cases, your doctor may ask you to call if you develop a fever of 101° F or higher.
• Ask if you are unsure about anything.
• Tell your doctor about any medications or vitamins you are taking to make sure they are safe to use during radiation therapy.
• Eat a balanced diet. Radiation to the chest should not upset your stomach, so tell your doctor or dietician if food tastes funny or if you’re having trouble eating. They might be able to help you change the way you eat.
• Treat the skin exposed to radiation with special care. Wear a shirt when you’re in the sun, avoid hot or cold packs, only use lotions and ointments after checking with your doctor or nurse, and clean the area with warm water and mild soap.
• Coping with cancer is tough. Support groups and friends may be able to help.

To order hard copies of this brochure, visit the ASTRO Shop.

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