How is radiation therapy used to treat lung cancer?
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Johns Hopkins Medicine answered:Radiation therapy is used to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors through the use of high-energy radiation. Radiation may also be used in conjunction with chemotherapy to treat lung cancer. There are two ways to deliver radiation therapy:
- External radiation (external beam therapy) sends high levels of radiation directly to the cancer cells. Radiation treatments are painless and usually last a few minutes.
- Internal radiation (brachytherapy, implant radiation) is delivered into the body as close to the cancer as possible. Substances that produce radiation, called radioisotopes, may be swallowed, injected, or implanted directly into the tumor. Some of the radioactive implants are called "seeds" or "capsules." Internal radiation involves giving a higher dose of radiation in a shorter time span than with external radiation. Some internal radiation treatments stay in the body temporarily. Other internal treatments stay in the body permanently, though the radioactive substance loses its radiation within a short period of time.
Both internal and external radiation therapies may be used concurrently.
Radiation therapy is used to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors through the use of high-energy radiation. Radiation may also be used in conjunction with chemotherapy to treat lung cancer. There are two ways to deliver radiation therapy: External... More -
Dr. Claudia Henschke of The Mount Sinai Medical Center answered:Radiation therapy, also known as radiotherapy, consists of using strategically aimed doses of radiation to kill cancer cells. It can also be used in combination with surgery, either before or after, and when surgery is not possible, it can also be used either by itself or in combination with chemotherapy.
Radiation therapy is performed by a specialist known as a radiation oncologist; radiation therapy destroys the cancer cells directly in its line of fire. It can also damage healthy cells and therefore great care is taken to focus the beam to the maximum extent on the tumor itself. Its common side effects are fatigue, cough, and loss of appetite. Most, however, go away after radiation treatment is completed.Radiation therapy, also known as radiotherapy, consists of using strategically aimed doses of radiation to kill cancer cells. It can also be used in combination with surgery, either before or after, and when surgery is not possible, it can... More -
Dr. Kenneth Rosenzweig of The Mount Sinai Medical Center answered:Radiation therapy is part of the treatment for all stages of lung cancer.
For early stage lung cancer, if a person can't have surgery, the radiation can take the place of the surgery and cure the cancer. With modern techniques, such as stereotactic body radiation therapy, we can control the cancer over 90% of the time.
For more advanced cancers that involve the lymph nodes, radiation is used with chemotherapy and surgery to help to destroy the tumor.
For cancers that have spread outside of the lung, the main treatment is chemotherapy, but radiation is also used to palliate any symptoms (such as pain) that the cancer may be causing.
Radiation is almost always given as an outpatient and is done with daily treatments. The number of treatments varies between patients, but is usually one week, two weeks or six weeks.Radiation therapy is part of the treatment for all stages of lung cancer. For early stage lung cancer, if a person can't have surgery, the radiation can take the place of the surgery and cure the cancer. With modern techniques, such as stereotactic... More -
Dr. Vijay Nuthakki of Aurora Health Care answered:Radiation therapy for lung cancer, also called radiotherapy, involves using specific doses of radiation to "kill" cancer cells. Radiation therapy is directed to a limited area and affects the cancer cells only in that area. It may be used before surgery to shrink a tumor, or after surgery to destroy cancer cells that remain in the treated area. Doctors also use radiation therapy, often combined with chemotherapy, as primary treatment in patients who cannot have surgery. In addition, radiation therapy may be used to relieve symptoms such as shortness of breath and pain. Radiation for the treatment of lung cancer most often comes from a machine (external radiation). More recently, new radiation techniques involve delivery of high doses of radiation, using fewer sessions, focused directly at the tumor (stereotactic radiosurgery).Radiation therapy for lung cancer, also called radiotherapy, involves using specific doses of radiation to "kill" cancer cells. Radiation therapy is directed to a limited area and affects the cancer cells only in that area. It may be used before... More
