Radiation treatment is the use of
high-energy X-rays to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Most radiation for lung cancer is given externally, which means that the radiation comes from a machine outside the body.
Radiation is often used in combination with
surgery or chemotherapy or both. But it may be used alone if surgery is not possible.
People who can't have surgery may have a special type of radiation called stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). This isn't surgery but a series of very high doses of radiation that are aimed at the cancer. SRS is usually given to treat tumors that have spread to the brain. SRS may also be called gamma knife radiosurgery, cyberknife, stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR), or stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT).
Radiation may be used to prevent small
lung cancer from growing in your brain. This is called
prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI).
Radiation also may be used as
palliative care to:
- Shrink tumors that make it hard for you to swallow.
- Reduce tumors that block your airway and make it hard for you
- Relieve pain from cancer that has spread to your bones or
Radiation may cause
side effects, such as skin changes, fatigue, and trouble swallowing.
Other medical treatments
- Targeted therapy with monoclonal antibodies and tyrosine kinase inhibitors may be used to treat NSCLC. Monoclonal antibodies, such as bevacizumab and cetuximab, can kill cancer cells, block their growth, and keep cancer from spreading. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors, such as erlotinib and gefitinib, can stop tumors from growing by blocking signals inside cancer cells.
- Laser therapy uses a narrow beam
of very intense light to destroy cancer cells. This treatment may be used to remove tumors that block the
- Photodynamic therapy
uses laser light to kill
cancer cells. It's used as palliative treatment to destroy tumors that
block the airway.
- Electrocautery uses a probe or needle to burn (cauterize) abnormal tissue or tumors.
- Cryosurgery (also called
cryoablation) freezes the tumor and kills it.
- Radiofrequency ablation uses a small needle inserted through the skin and into the tumor. Energy passes
through the needle into the tumor. This heats and kills cancer cells. It also
closes up the little blood vessels in the area so there is less
- Stents—small, wire-mesh tubes—may be inserted into a blocked airway and expanded to hold the airway open.
- Watchful waiting means that you are being watched closely by your doctor but not having treatment until you show symptoms or a change of some kind.
People sometimes use complementary treatments along with medical treatment to help relieve symptoms and side effects of cancer treatments. Some of the complementary therapies that may be helpful include:
These mind-body treatments may help you feel better. They can make it easier to cope with treatment. They also may reduce chronic low back pain, joint pain, headaches, and pain from treatments.
Before you try a complementary therapy, talk to your doctor about the possible value and potential side effects. Let your doctor know if you are already using any such therapies. They are not meant to take the place of standard medical treatment.