When it comes to lung cancer, patients usually receive several types of treatment including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. External beam radiation therapy is the most common type of radiation therapy used for lung cancer. If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with lung cancer, whether small cell or non-small cell, consider consulting with the lung cancer experts at Silicon Valley Oncology for your radiation therapy treatment.
External Beam Radiation Therapy for Lung Cancer
External radiation therapy uses high-intensity beams of radiation, directed at a very specific area of the body, to shrink tumors and kill cancer cells. It is delivered by a machine called a linear accelerator. Because lung cancer can be present in a large area, it’s not used for every patient.
Treating Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer with External Beam Radiation
Patients with non-small cell lung cancer are often good candidates for external beam radiation therapy if they meet one of the follow criteria:
Before surgery to try to shrink the tumor which makes it easier to remove
A tumor that can’t be removed because of its size or location
If the patient isn’t healthy enough to undergo surgery
After surgery to kill any small areas of lung cancer that might not have been taken out
External Radiation Therapy for Patients with Small Cell Lung Cancer
Radiation therapy used in a different way for small cell lung cancer patients compared to non-small cell lung cancer patients. Small cell lung cancer patients receive radiation for one of these conditions:
To treat the tumor and lymph nodes in the chest. If chemotherapy has begun and radiation is given over that same period of time, this is called concurrent chemoradiation. This, however, can be too intense for some patients.
For those with limited-stage lung cancer who couldn’t tolerate chemoradiation, or for those who have extensive disease, radiation therapy can be given after the chemotherapy phase of treatment is complete.
To help lower the chances of cancer spreading (metastasizing) to the brain, prophylactic (preventative) cranial irradiation may be given.
During the treatment planning phase, our radiation oncologists, Dr. Ankit Agarwal and Dr. John Shumway, will consult with the rest of your cancer care team to determine what’s best for you. There are several types of external beam radiation that could be used to treat lung cancer, depending on where the cancer is located.
Types of External Beam Radiation Therapy That May be Used for Lung Cancer Patients
Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT)
Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT), also known as stereotactic ablative radiotherapy, is an advanced type of radiation technology most often used to treat early-stage lung cancers when surgery isn’t an option. SBRT delivers very high doses of radiation to precisely target the tumor by using several beams of various intensities aimed at different angles, allowing fewer treatments. A specially-designed body frame is used to help reduce movement of the lung tumor during breathing so it can be precisely targeted.
Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT)
Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) allows the radiation oncologist to precisely target the tumor in a way that results in less or no damage to healthy tissues. IMRT also makes it possible for the radiation oncologist to vary the intensity of some of the beams of radiation to focus more carefully in some areas than in others. This type of radiation may also be used to treat lymph nodes in the chest where lung cancer is likely to spread. Because IMRT can limit the side effects of treatments, many patients experience a better quality of life.
Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS)
Stereotactic radiosurgery is a non-surgical type of external radiation therapy that is used to treat lung cancer that has limited spread to the brain.
For SRS, a custom head frame is made to keep the head very still during the radiation treatment. A machine delivers a single large dose of radiation directly at the tumor(s) in the brain.
This precisely-targeted radiation can be given in fewer high-dose treatments than traditional therapy, which can help preserve healthy tissue.
3-Dimensional Conformal Radiation Therapy
Three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3D-CRT) is a technique that allows doctors to direct radiation beams to conform to the shape of the tumor. 3D conformal radiation uses images from CT, MRI, and PET scans to precisely plan the treatment areas through a process called simulation. A computer program is then used to analyze the images and to design radiation beams that conform to the shape of the tumor. The precise shaping makes it possible to use higher doses of radiation to the tumor while sparing normal tissue.
Possible Side Effects of External Lung Cancer Radiation
Before undergoing radiation therapy, the care team who works with Dr. Agarwal and Dr. Shumway will talk with you about what to expect, including the possible short- and long-term side effects you could experience, as well as symptom management. Side effects will depend on factors such as the treatment area, total dose of radiation, type of radiation therapy used, and whether chemotherapy is given at the same time (chemoradiation).
Common side effects of radiation therapy for lung cancer can include:
Fatigue
Hair loss
Red, dry, or peeling skin at the radiation site
Trouble swallowing
Cough
Shortness of breath
Although most side effects go away on their own, some may last a long time or become permanent. Talk to your oncologist or radiation therapist right away if you notice any side effects so steps can be taken to reduce or relieve them.
Radiation Therapy in Silicon Valley
Remember, you have a choice when it comes to where you receive your radiation therapy. With our cancer center conveniently located in Campbell, you won’t need to go into a hospital for treatment or deal with hospital parking for outpatient procedures. Contact us today for more information.