Lung cancer and Radiation Therapy

Lung cancer is one of the deadliest forms of the disease. It originates in the lungs and spreads throughout the body. It is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Smokers and consumers of tobacco products are comparatively at a greater risk. The signs and symptoms of lung cancer typically reveal themselves at the advanced stage. A few common symptoms of lung cancer are shortness of breath, chest pain, hoarseness, and weight loss.

Lung cancer can be treated by radiation therapy that uses high-energy rays to target and kill cancer cells. If affected by lung cancer, it is advisable to consult the best cancer doctor in Mumbai. The use and prognosis of radiation therapy depend upon the stage of lung cancer.

1. It can be used with chemotherapy if the tumor is large and cannot be removed by surgery.

2. Radiation therapy can be used after the surgery to eliminate a small cancerous mass that chemo or surgery could not eliminate.

3. Radiation therapy can also be used before other treatment options to decrease the size of the tumor.

4. It can target the tumor in case it has metastasized to other parts of the body.

There are two types of radiotherapy to treat Lung cancer.

● External beam radiation therapy: It focuses the radiation on cancer. The procedure is painless and lasts for a few minutes. The treatment frequency depends upon the extent of the cancer and is decided by the doctor. The newer techniques in this area help to lower the radiation exposure and provide more accurate treatment

● Brachytherapy (internal radiation therapy): It is an internal radiation therapy that delivers higher doses of radiation to more specific areas.

Radiation therapy is a highly effective treatment and has better prognosis and survival rates. It targets the affected cells while protecting the normal ones. It improves the quality of life. The treatment cost of radiotherapy is less than 9% of all the other therapies; hence it is a cost-effective cancer treatment. It decreases the chances of recurrence if delivered before or after the surgery, but it also depends on the cancer doctor in Mumbai guiding the therapy. Radiation therapy can be used as a standalone treatment or in conjunction with other therapies. In advanced lung cancer, radiation therapy is effective for pain management and other problems caused by the tumor. However, the prognosis also depends on the cancer doctor involved in the procedure.