Sculpting radiation beam spares lung cancer patients from severe, disabling complication.

[2greys]

For many patients with localized lung cancer (non-small-cell lung carcinoma and small cell lung carcinoma), high-dose radiation with concurrent chemotherapy is a potential cure. Yet this treatment can cause severe, acute inflammation of the esophagus (esophagitis) in about one in five patients, requiring hospitalization and placement of a feeding tube.

A team of radiation oncologists at Mass General Cancer Center demonstrate in an early clinical trial that the radiation beam can be carefully “sculpted” to deliver the majority of a radiation dose directly to the tumor while effectively sparing tissues in the side of the esophagus away from the affected lung (the contralateral esophagus), thereby limiting inflammation and preserving swallowing function.

massgeneral.org/news/press-...

JAMA Oncology. Study Paper:

jamanetwork.com/journals/ja...

[Walkwalkwalk]

Oh. Having that dreadful after effect removed will be so reassuring for people who have to weigh up that decision. Further trials will reveal more specifics. Thanks for the information.

[2greys in reply to Walkwalkwalk]

Hopefully this can be developed to avoid other areas not just the Esophagus, like the spine and major organs that are close by.

[Walkwalkwalk in reply to 2greys]

Yes. Getting to the stage where treatment is all positive would be wonderful and not just a dream.