Lung Cancer
Other Treatment
Radiation therapy
Radiation therapy is the use of high-energy X-rays to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation may come from a machine outside the body (external radiation therapy) or from putting materials that produce radiation (radioisotopes) through thin plastic tubes into the area where the cancer cells are found (internal radiation therapy, also called brachytherapy). Radiation therapy is often used in combination with surgery or chemotherapy or both.
Radiation following surgery for stages II or III non–small cell lung cancer may reduce the risk of cancer recurrence in the chest, but long-term survival rates are not significantly improved because cancer may have already spread to other areas of the body.3
What to think about
Radiation may cause side effects.
Radiation therapy may be used to prevent small cell lung cancer from growing in your brain. This is called prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI). PCI can improve survival for people with limited-stage small cell lung cancer whose cancer is in remission from treatment with chemotherapy and radiation to the chest.22, 23
Occasionally, radiation therapy may be given during your surgery. In this procedure, radiation is focused directly on the tumor during surgery and affects as little healthy tissue as possible.
Radiation therapy also may be used as palliative care to:
- Shrink tumors that make it hard for you to swallow.
- Reduce tumors that block your airway and make it hard for you to breathe.
- Relieve pain from cancer that has spread to your bones or spinal cord.
Other Treatment Choices
Oxygen therapy
Oxygen therapy may relieve your shortness of breath. It is usually used at the end stage of the disease. Some people who have pulmonary conditions, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), may use oxygen as regular therapy.
Thoracentesis
Thoracentesis is used to remove fluid from around your lungs (pleural effusion). A large amount of fluid may cause pain and shortness of breath.
Pleurodesis
Pleurodesis is used to prevent fluid buildup around your lungs. Pleurodesis is a procedure that is intended to cause inflammation of the lining around your lungs. The irritated tissue reacts by producing scar tissue, which causes the two layers of the lung lining to stick together. This removes the space where fluid can build up around your lungs. Pleurodesis is commonly used to treat fluid buildup around your lung that returns after repeated thoracentesis.
Complementary therapies
In addition to conventional medical treatment, you may wish to try complementary therapies, such as:
- Acupuncture.
- Herbs.
- Biofeedback.
- Meditation.
- Yoga.
- Visualization.
- Vitamins and nutritional supplements.
Before you try any of these therapies, discuss their possible benefits and side effects with your health professional. Let him or her know if you are already using any such therapies. For more information, see the topic Complementary Medicine.
What To Think About
The combination of conventional medical treatment and complementary medicine is an approach that is sometimes called integrative medicine, in which conventional and complementary therapies are used together for the best outcome.
 Go to previous section |  Go to top of page |  Go to next section |
| Author: | Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH | Last Updated: June 12, 2006 |
| Medical Review: | Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine Michael Seth Rabin, MD - Medical Oncology | |
 | ||
