Lung cancer

[Marydoll55]

Diagnosed with lung cancer very high in lung, Doctor says it's very difficult to get for biopsy, and then tells me that as I weigh 130 kg I might not be suitable for radiotherapy, is this right?

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

Hello Marydoll55,

I am sorry to hear that you have been diagnosed with lung cancer, depending on the location and size of the lesion is it sometimes can technically be difficult to biopsy. The team who you are under will discuss what they feel the best option would be for them to obtain tissue for biopsy.

Radiotherapy uses high energy x-rays (radiation) to destroy cancer cells while avoiding normal cells. Radiotherapy is usually given as a series of treatment sessions; this will be planned ahead in great detail by your team.

Their aim is to direct the radiation directly on the cancer cells but it will inevitably have to travel through healthy tissue to get to the cells affected, if you have a higher BMI which is the ratio of your weight to height, it means that more healthy tissue will be exposed to higher doses of radiation. This in turn can lead to more side effects of treatment such as skin reactions.

Each case is very individual and will be discussed with the members of the MDT to achieve the best treatment options and outcome for the each patient. In some instances it can be technically very difficult, this again will be due to the location of the cancer cells in relation to your anatomy.

Below I have added a link to our Radiotherapy booklet

roycastle.org/app/uploads/2...

You are welcome to contact us on ask the nurse helpline 0800 358 7200 Monday to Thursday 0900-1700 and Friday 0900-1600, alternatively you can email us at [e-mail]

Kind Regards

The Roy Castle Support Team

[GGoyster]

Hi I cannot comment on radiotherapy but like you, my tumour (in the exact same place) was not amenable to biopsy. Therefore I had a lobectomy which removed the cancer and with no further need for chemotherapy or radiotherapy. I know I was fortunate. Have you definitely been told you will need radiotherapy?

[Marydoll55 in reply to GGoyster]

Yes, but still to have assessment by radiotherapist.

[kri312 in reply to GGoyster]

how long ago was your surgery?