What should you know about photon therapy for lung cancer?

A planning scan maps the tumour and the organs around it. A radiation team then shapes and aims beams from different directions so their combined dose reaches the treatment area. The aim is to damage the ability of cancer cells to grow; nearby lung, heart, spinal cord and oesophagus are considered during planning. Treatment may be used alone, after surgery, with chemotherapy, or to ease symptoms, depending on the tumour’s location, extent and the person’s overall health.

Photon therapy is a form of radiotherapy. It is delivered by a machine outside the body, so it does not make you radioactive. A session is usually brief, but the full course and visit schedule vary.

Bring the oncology team a complete list of medicines, supplements and previous treatments. Tell them about breathing problems, implanted devices, pregnancy or a chance of pregnancy, and any difficulty lying flat. During planning, you may need to keep the same position for each visit; a mould, mask or other support can help with this. Skin changes, tiredness, cough, discomfort when swallowing or breathlessness can occur, and the team can explain which changes need prompt review.

Ask how photon therapy fits with surgery, chemotherapy or genomic tumour profiling. Information about the cancer and treatment options is available in the Lung Cancer, Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy pages.

Contact the oncology service promptly for worsening breathlessness, chest pain, a new or persistent fever, coughing blood, inability to swallow fluids, or symptoms that interfere with eating or sleeping. Seek emergency help for severe breathing difficulty, blue lips, confusion or sudden weakness. A hoarse voice may have causes unrelated to cancer, but new or persistent voice change should be reported so it can be assessed.

Which part of the lung is being treated, and what is the purpose of radiotherapy in my plan? How will breathing motion affect targeting? What side effects should I report the same day? Could treatment affect future surgery or other treatments? Who should I call outside clinic hours?