Global Lung Cancer Awareness Month | Radiotherapy for Lung Cancer: Rekindling the Light of Hope for Life

Radiotherapy is a treatment method that uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells. According to Yiyang Central Hospital , radiotherapy is widely used in lung cancer. It can be used as a radical treatment, as an adjuvant treatment before and after surgery, and to relieve symptoms in advanced patients.

1. The role of radiotherapy in lung cancer

• Radical radiotherapy : For patients with early-stage lung cancer who are not suitable for surgery, especially some patients with non-small cell lung cancer, radiotherapy can be used as an effective alternative. For example, stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) can provide high-dose precise irradiation in a short period of time to kill tumor cells with little damage to surrounding healthy tissues, and is suitable for treating localized small lesions.

• Adjuvant radiotherapy : For some patients with locally advanced disease, radiotherapy can be used in combination with chemotherapy, targeted therapy and other methods. For example, postoperative radiotherapy can eliminate possible residual cancer cells and reduce the risk of recurrence; while preoperative radiotherapy can reduce the size of the tumor and help the surgery to remove the tumor more smoothly.

• Palliative radiotherapy : In the late stage of lung cancer, many patients will experience pain, coughing up blood, dyspnea and other symptoms due to the spread of tumors. Radiotherapy can relieve symptoms and improve the quality of life of patients.

2. Innovative technologies in radiotherapy

In recent years, radiotherapy technology has developed rapidly, and new radiotherapy methods have greatly improved the treatment effect. Let's take a look at several major radiotherapy technologies:

• Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) : Intensity-modulated radiation therapy can adjust the intensity and angle of the radiation so that the radiation can be more accurately concentrated on the tumor area and reduce the impact on surrounding normal tissues. It is suitable for the treatment of lung cancer in complex locations.

• Image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT) : Real-time monitoring and calibration of the patient’s position during radiotherapy ensures that the tumor is treated precisely. Image-guided radiotherapy can significantly reduce errors during radiotherapy and further improve treatment accuracy.

• Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) : SBRT can deliver high doses of radiation in a relatively short period of time, effectively killing tumor cells. It is often used to treat small lesions and is particularly suitable for early-stage patients who are not suitable for surgery.

3. Side effects of radiotherapy

Although radiotherapy is effective, it can also cause some side effects. Common side effects include:

• Skin reactions : Redness, swelling, dryness, etc. may occur locally on the skin.

• Respiratory system reactions : such as cough, chest tightness, shortness of breath, etc., may be related to radiation pneumonitis.

• Digestive system reactions : Some patients may experience loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, etc., which are usually more common in patients receiving extensive radiotherapy.

• Fatigue and weakness : It is one of the common side effects of radiotherapy, and patients may feel tired during the treatment.

Most side effects will gradually subside after radiotherapy ends, but if serious symptoms occur, you should communicate with your doctor in time.

Radiotherapy, as one of the main methods for treating lung cancer, is bringing hope of cure to more and more lung cancer patients.

References

Vinod SK, Hau E. Radiotherapy treatment for lung cancer: Current status and future directions. Respirology. 2020 Nov;25 Suppl 2:61-71. doi: 10.1111/resp.13870. Epub 2020 Jun 9. PMID: 32516852.

Hunan Medical Chat Special Author: Xu Huimin, Yiyang Central Hospital

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(Edited by Wx)