Radiation Therapy for Lung Cancer Treatment

One of the most popular methods of cancer treatment, radiation therapy is a process wherein high energy ionizing radiation is used to kill the cancerous cells, or curb their growth, in the body. These cells are known to multiply at an abnormally fast rate, and hence radiation, which kills the cells or curbs their growth, is thought to be an effective method of treatment. Also referred to as radiotherapy, it can cure both small cell and non-small cell lung cancer.

Radiation Therapy for the Treatment of Lung Cancer

When the body is subjected to radiation therapy, high energy beams focus on the area of the lung wherein the tumor is located. This radiation tends to damage the DNA of the cancerous cells, and destroys them thus affecting their ability to reproduce. This is very important as the cells are known to reproduce rapidly, and spread to the other areas of the body. Radiation is classified into two groups:

• External beam therapy (EBT) - wherein the external machine delivers high doses of radiation.
• Internal radiation therapy - a thin plastic tube is inserted into the body to pass radioactive material to the affected area.

Normally the person suffering from lung cancer is subjected to radiation therapy, daily, for a period of six weeks. Each of these sessions lasts for a few minutes, and, more importantly, are devoid of pain.

Palliative Radiation
In case of palliative radiation for lungs, the target is to curb the growth of cancerous cells and the pain associated with the ailment, instead of curing the ailment itself. It is most often used for people who with terminal cancer, in order to relieve them of the pain caused by the illness. Palliative radiation is referred in cases wherein the malignant cells reach the brain or spinal cord and cause more harm than the side effects of radiation itself.

Stereotactic Radiation
One of the latest inclusion in the list, stereotactic radiation or stereotactic radio-surgery delivers high doses of radiation directly to the lung tumor. It is considered to a good alternative to lung cancer surgery owing to its high success rate as compared to the surgery. It is mostly recommended to elderly people or people with other ailments.

Proton Radiation
Proton radiation has the capacity to deliver high doses of radiation to a particular area, wherein the tumor is located. The biggest advantage that this form of radiation have over its X-ray counterpart is that it delivers high dose without causing much harm to the tissues in the surrounding. This also means that the person treated by this form is exposed to less number of side effects than the other forms of radiation.

Radiation Therapy Side Effects

Like the other methods of lung cancer treatment, radiation therapy also has some significant side effects. Most of these side effects, surface when it is used as a component of intensive treatment and/or used in combination with chemotherapy. It can cause esophagitis (inflammation in the esophagus), pneumonitis, etc. The patient may also experience infection of radiations. Other side effects include radiation poisoning, hair loss, memory loss, skin problems, headache, nausea, vomiting, etc. Skin problems associated with radiations include erythema, pruritus, shrinking, etc. The patient may also complain of loss of appetite, nausea, etc.

Development in medicine has brought about some positive changes. The targeted approach, most of the radiation therapies use today, induces minimal damage to the cells surrounding the tumor. Moreover, healthy cells are quick to repair the damage, and hence the risk is worth taking. But when it comes to the life of someone of your own, your emotional side does stand at loggerheads with your practical side.