Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer - Surgical Procedures

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Three-Dimensional Conformal Radiotherapy

Three-dimensional (3-D) conformal radiotherapy delivers external-beam radiation designed to closely match the specific targeted organs or tissues. This allows significantly higher doses to attack the cancer while reducing the risk to healthy cells. In a 2003 report, three-year survival rates in stage IIIA patients were nearly 60%, and nearly half the patients experienced no side effects.

Stereotactic body radiotherapy, an advance on conformal radiation, uses a body frame and an abdominal press to immobilize the patient's body and limit breath movement. This allows a more accurate delivery of high-energy radiation. The technique is still investigational.

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Side Effects of Radiation Therapy

Radiation can have significant side effects when used as part of intensive treatments, such as hyperfractionated radiotherapy or radiotherapy in combination with chemotherapy. Among the most serious problems is severe inflammation in the esophagus (esophagitis) or the lungs (pneumonitis). Infection is also a danger.

The use of targeted approaches, such as conformal radiotherapy may help reduce these complications. Investigators are also studying drugs, notably amifostine, that appear to help reduce throat and lung inflammation caused by radiation without reducing its cancer-fighting effects.

Review Date: 06/30/2006
Reviewed By: Harvey Simon, MD, Editor-in-Chief, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital.

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