Radiotherapy for lung cancer
Radiotherapy is a common treatment for lung cancer. It uses high energy x-rays to destroy cancer cells. You usually have external radiotherapy. This means using radiation from a machine to destroy the cancer.
Planning radiotherapy for lung cancer
The radiotherapy team plan your external beam radiotherapy before you start treatment.
Having radiotherapy for non small cell lung cancer
Radiotherapy can be used to treat non small cell lung cancer. You have it in the hospital radiotherapy department.
Having radiotherapy for small cell lung cancer
Radiotherapy uses high energy x-rays to destroy cancer cells. It is sometimes given in combination with chemotherapy for small cell lung cancer.
Side effects of lung cancer radiotherapy
Radiotherapy to the lung can cause side effects such as tiredness, sore skin and a cough. Some side effects can start some months or years later.
Having radiotherapy to the brain (prophylactic cranial irradiation)
Doctors use radiotherapy to the brain in people with small cell lung cancer who has limited disease. This is also called prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI).
