Radiotherapy uses high-energy rays to destroy cancer cells while causing the least possible damage to normal cells.

Radiotherapy for NSCLC

Radiotherapy is the main treatment used for non-small cell lung cancer.

Chemotherapy can be given:

• to treat or cure the cancer in time if you cannot have an operation (radical radiotherapy)
• after surgery to lower the chances of the cancer returning (adjuvant radiotherapy)
• at the same time as chemotherapy when the cancer is locally advanced (chemoradiotherapy)
• to control the symptoms when the cancer has spread to other parts of the body (palliative radiotherapy).

Radiotherapy for SCLC

In patients with small cell lung cancer, radiotherapy can be given:

• at the same time as chemotherapy (chemoradiation) when the cancer has not spread to other parts of the body
• after chemotherapy when the cancer has responded well to treatment
• to a person's head in order to prevent the cancer cells from spreading from the lungs to the brain
• to control the symptoms when the cancer has spread to other parts of the body (palliative radiotherapy).

Radiation Therapy Planning

Radiotherapy must be carefully planned in order to ensure that it is as effective as possible.

On your first visit to the radiotherapy department, you will have a CT scan done or you will lie down below a machine that will take x-rays of the area to be treated.

You may have small marks made on your skin (tattoos) to help the technician find the position more precisely so that the rays can be directed to this area. These marks must remain visible throughout the treatment. These are extremely small permanent marks, and you won't have these done without your consent.

Treatment sessions

At the beginning of each session, the technician will carefully place you so that you are comfortable, as you must remain still during the treatment. Radiotherapy isn't painful. During the treatment you will stay in the room alone, though you can talk to the technician monitoring you from an adjacent room.