Lung Cancer Services
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Lung Cancer Introduction
Radiotherapy can be used either alone or in combination with other treatments, such as chemotherapy, to treat Lung cancer.
The type and duration of Radiotherapy will depend upon several factors including the type and stage of cancer, and on your fitness and any other health conditions you may have.
Radiotherapy can be used with curative intent for early cancers but may also be used to control the cancer for a period of time or provide symptom relief in more advanced cancers.
We have provided further information and links below that you may find helpful, including information on how to prepare for treatment ‘prehabilitation’, radiotherapy, potential side effects and how to manage them and contact details for support and advice.
Radiotherapy Timeline
Prehabilitation
Prehabilitation is often referred to as Prehab and is designed to help you prepare for your cancer treatment. Prehab can help you to cope with your cancer treatment, manage side effects better and recover from treatment more quickly. Continuing with the ‘prehab’ throughout your treatment and recovery period can also be beneficial.
Prehab focusses on:
• Nutrition; support to fuel your body through your treatment and recovery.
• Exercise or Activity; being active can improve strength and well-being.
• Mental well-being; techniques and support to help understand and manage feelings and emotions
Your lung cancer nurse will discuss prehab with you and help you to set goals which are individual to you.
This short video explains more about prehab and offers lots of helpful advice to get you started.
• What is prehabilitation? | Cancer Research UK
In addition, stopping smoking will not only benefit your overall health but will also help you cope with and recover from treatment as it can reduce the severity of side effects.
We understand that stopping smoking is not easy. Please contact your lung cancer nurse specialist or GP, or visit the link below if you require additional support.
Quit smoking - Better Health - NHS
Radiotherapy
Your clinical oncologist (cancer doctor) will discuss with you which type of radiotherapy is best suited to you and your cancer.
The following leaflets are designed to help you understand more about your treatment, how to manage any potential side effects and provide some useful contact details.
If you have an early-stage, small cancer you may be offered SABR. SABR delivers very high doses of radiation to a small area. As tumours in the lung can move we may ask you to hold your breath during SABR treatment to stabilize the tumour. We do this using a piece of equipment called an ‘ Active Breathing Coordinator’, or ABC. You can find out more about ABC in the links below.
Stereotactic Ablative Body Radiotherapy (SABR) for Lung Cancer
Drug Treatment
Lung cancer can sometimes be treated with a combination of radiotherapy and drug treatment such as chemotherapy. Some patients may also benefit from additional immunotherapy.
Suitability for any drug treatment depends on the type and stage of your cancer and on your overall fitness. Your Clinical Oncologist will advise you on whether any drug treatments would be suitable.
Below you will find links to drug treatments commonly used with radiotherapy for lung cancer.
Paclitaxel and carboplatin | Macmillan Cancer Support
Etoposide and cisplatin chemotherapy (EP) | Macmillan Cancer Support
Carboplatin and etoposide | Macmillan Cancer Support
Durvalumab (Imfinzi®) | Macmillan Cancer Support
Lung Cancer Radiotherapy Team
Clinical Oncologists
Dr Abi Pascoe
Dr Kerstie Johnson
Dr Sangary Kathirgamakarthigeyan
Dr Tom Moore
Dr Karen Foweraker
Dr Ananth Sivanandan
Advanced Practitioner
Catherine Sharma