What to expect from radiotherapy for lung cancer

Planning scans help the team account for the movement of your lungs as you breathe and choose the safest position. You may be asked to hold your breath briefly or breathe in a particular way. At each session, the machine delivers radiation while you remain still; the team watches and communicates with you.

Tiredness is common during a course. The skin over the chest may become irritated, and some people develop cough, chest discomfort or breathlessness during or after treatment. These symptoms can have several causes, so tell the oncology team rather than assuming they are expected.

Bring an up-to-date medicine list and mention oxygen use, inhalers, implanted devices or previous chest treatment. Follow instructions about eating, drinking and breath-holding for your plan. Pace activities, keep fluids nearby if allowed and use gentle movement to reduce stiffness.

Avoid applying unapproved creams, deodorant or heat to the treated skin. Take prescribed medicines as directed and record cough, pain, fever, breathlessness and activity tolerance for review.

Tell your team promptly about a new or worsening cough, fever, chest pain, trouble swallowing or breathlessness that limits usual activity. Seek emergency help for severe breathlessness, blue lips, coughing blood, crushing chest pain, fainting or sudden confusion.

Ask whether your course is intended to control a lung tumour, relieve a symptom or support another treatment, and how breathing will be managed during planning. Ask which changes need a same-day call, how follow-up scans will be arranged and whether inhalers or oxygen need adjustment.