My doctor has told me that I need radiotherapy. What does this mean? Radiotherapy is a general term for the treatment of cancer with x-rays. It works by killing cancer cells and is often used on its own to treat lung cancer. It may also be given as part of a combined treatment with
surgery and/or
chemotherapy. It is usually given from outside the chest (external radiotherapy) by directing x-rays at the area needing treatment. The machines that are
most commonly used for this are called linear accelerators. However, radiotherapy can also be given by putting a small amount of radiation directly inside the lung (brachytherapy). Your cancer specialist (oncologist) will discuss with you the recommendations for radiotherapy.
The following information in this section is referring to external radiotherapy. Radiotherapy is only given in specialist cancer centres because the treatment is very specialised and expensive. This may involve long journeys to get to your nearest cancer centre, depending on where you live.
Why is radiotherapy used to treat lung cancer?
Radiotherapy has always been an effective treatment for lung cancer. It is the most common treatment used for non-small cell
lung cancers, as in general they are slow growing tumours.
Small cell lung cancer can also be treated with radiotherapy and can also be given with chemotherapy or after completion of chemotherapy.
Radiotherapy can also be particularly helpful for treating lung cancer that has spread outside of the lungs to other parts of the body.
The table below describes the types of radiotherapy available and why they are prescribed:
|
Radiotherapy |
Why Is It Given? |
How Is It Given? |
|
Radical |
To try and cure lung
cancer, which is not
suitable for surgery.
The cancer must be
small enough and in a
suitable position so
that the radiotherapy
beam can totally
surround it. |
Daily treatments, at a
Cancer Centre.
Usually given over a
period of around four
weeks. |
|
Continuous
Hyperfractionated
Accelerated
Radiotherapy
(CHART) |
A newer way of giving
radical radiotherapy
over a shorter period
of time. |
Three treatments a
day, over 12 days, at
a cancer centre. |
|
Palliative |
To shrink the tumour
and help reduce
symptoms such as
cough, pain and
breathlessness |
Usually daily
treatments, for a
short length of time.
The amount needed
varies from 1-15. |
|
Prophylactic Cranial
Irradiation (PCI) |
To reduce the chance
of disease spreading
to the brain after a
complete or good
response to
chemotherapy
|
Daily treatments,
usually over around 10
days. |
|
Consolidation |
To reduce the chance
of the cancer in the
lung growing again after chemotherapy. |
Daily treatments,
usually over around
three weeks. |
There are currently clinical trials underway to find out if chemotherapy and radiotherapy work better when given at the same time.
How will the doctors know how many treatments I need?
Your doctor will look at your test results, the type of tumour you have, where it is and whether it has spread. All this information will be carefully considered before the doctor decides how many treatments you need. This is called treatment planning and may
involve:
• CT Planning Scan - this is a special type of scan. It helps your doctor to plan your radiotherapy treatment accurately.
• Simulator - the simulator is a special x-ray machine similar to the radiotherapy treatment machine and is used to plan the treatment to ensure that only the area that needs treatment will actually be treated.
Your treatment may be planned using either or both of these, and sometimes it may take several visits before your treatment is ready to start.
Is receiving radiotherapy treatment painful?
No, the treatment itself is totally painless, although you may find the treatment table hard and slightly uncomfortable.
How do the doctors know if the radiotherapy is working?
It is sometimes difficult to know immediately whether there has been a response, because the treatment itself can cause changes to the lungs. However, in time the response will become clearer, at which time repeat measurements from initial tests may help to establish if there is any change.
Should I change my diet during radiotherapy?
Try to maintain a healthy diet, but avoid very hot drinks, rough foods and strong spices, particularly if your gullet has become irritated. Try mashing foods or adding additional sauces/gravies - if swallowing is still difficult liquidise your food to remove any lumps. If you experience a burning feeling in your gullet, drinking alcohol, especially spirits, may make it worse. Cutting back will help if you feel you cannot cut it out completely.
Are there any side-effects of radiotherapy?
Yes, although they vary from person to person depending on the type of treatment you have and your general fitness. Some of the more common side-effects are shown in the following table.
“I was terrified when I first went for radiotherapy, but it wasn’t such an ordeal and it didn’t hurt at all.”
|
Possible Side Effects |
Practical Advice |
|
Some pain in the chest
in the 24 hours after
the first treatment. |
This is usually mild and settles down fairly
quickly. Use an “over-the-counter”
painkiller and if this does not work speak
to your GP or Lung Cancer Nurse Specialist. |
|
Skin in the treated area
becomes a little pink or
red. It may also feel a
little dry or itchy. |
Use moisturising cream before, during and after treatment to the treatment area. You may bathe or shower during
treatment, but do not have the water too
hot. Use mild baby soap, but try not to
rub the treated area particularly if it is
red or itchy. It's best to pat the area dry
with a soft towel. Avoid perfumed
talcum powder or lotion. |
|
Soreness when
swallowing due to the
gullet (oesophagus)
becoming irritated by
the treatment. |
There are soothing liquid medicines which
can be prescribed by your doctor.
However, you may find cool/luke warm
drinks or ice-cream soothing. Eat food
that is soft or mushy, for example,
porridge or soup. Occasionally, liquid morphone may be recommended. |
|
Increase in your cough
and sputum (spit). |
Don’t worry, this is quite normal, but if
you are having difficulties with it let your
doctor know. |
|
Tiredness following
treatment. |
This can last for a number of weeks after
treatment has ended. Make sure that you
take it easy and rest when you feel tired. |
|
Scarring of the lung
(fibrosis) |
You might notice a slight increase in
breathlessness. If this becomes a
problem, see your hospital doctor or GP,
as there are medicines and breathing
exercises which can help. |
How will I feel after treatment ends?
The effects of the treatment should wear off after several weeks - however tiredness can take a little longer. Your oncologist will arrange to see you a month or so after treatment is complete. It is important to assess how well your treatment is working and to ensure that you are not experiencing any other problems.