A study looking at a new type of MRI scan with CT scans to plan treatment and see how well radiotherapy works for people with lung cancer

When planning radiotherapy for people with lung cancer, doctors try to avoid as much healthy lung tissue as possible. But this can be difficult because scans do not show healthy lung tissue very clearly. If a large dose of radiotherapy is given there is a risk of inflammation of the lungs which can lead to a dry cough or shortness of breath. This is called radiation pneumonitis.

There is a new type of MRI scan which involves breathing in a special gas. The researchers are calling it a gas MRI scan. The scan is like a regular MRI scan but by inhaling the gas the doctors should be able to see which parts of the lungs are working well. These are the areas that need to be avoided when planning radiotherapy.

Radiotherapy is usually planned with CT scans. Researchers want to see if doing a gas MRI scan as well can improve radiotherapy planning for people with a type of lung cancer called non small cell lung cancer.  They also want to

• Find out if the gas MRI scan can reduce the risk of radiation pneumonitis
• See if the gas MRI scan can show doctors how well the lungs are working before and after treatment
• Test whether new types of MRI scans are better at showing lung cancer than a standard MRI