Lung Cancer – Lung cancer is the number one cause of cancer deaths in both men and women in the U.S. and worldwide
Lung cancer is when one or both lungs have the development of abnormal cells. Primary lung cancer starts in the lungs, where as secondary lung cancer is when cancer traveled from another part of the body to the lungs (metastasized).
Typical Symptoms for Lung Cancer
- Coughing, especially if it persists or becomes intense
- Pain in the chest, shoulder, or back unrelated to pain from coughing
- A change in color or volume of sputum
- Shortness of breath
- Changes in the voice or being hoarse
- Harsh sounds with each breath (stridor)
- Recurrent lung problems, such as bronchitis or pneumonia
- Coughing up phlegm or mucus, especially if it is tinged with blood
- Coughing up blood
Role of Radiation in Lung Cancer
Radiation therapy is an integral part of most lung cancer treatments, For some patients who have early stage disease, but are not surgical candidates, stereotatic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is a curative option. This allows for a nonsurgical treatment to be delivered generally within one to five treatments. For patients with more advanced disease, chemotherapy and radiation therapy may be necessary. The radiation therapy in this setting can be done with IMRT, IGRT or 3D conformal and may require a daily treatment for five to six weeks. The physicians at the Cancer Center will work with your medical oncologist to design a treatment plan to suit your situation.
