Radiotherapy is a viable option for lung cancer patients across various stages, particularly for early-stage cases (one or two) unsuitable for surgery, or when combined with chemotherapy in advanced stages. For patients with stage two lung cancer, like your grandfather, who cannot undergo surgery due to age or tumor location, stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) is often recommended. For stage three, patients typically receive concurrent chemoradiation. In stage 4, radiotherapy aims to alleviate symptoms.

You should take your grandfather to the hospital for an examination. Doctors can order tests, including computed tomography (CT) scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and positron emission tomography (PET/CT) scans, to determine the tumor's stage and exact location. This will help them devise an appropriate treatment plan and recommend the most suitable method.

Radiotherapy is a local cancer treatment that uses high-energy rays, typically X-rays, to destroy cancer cells or halt their progression. Radiation can be delivered externally (external beam radiation therapy) or placed directly near the tumor inside the body (brachytherapy). This method can be applied before surgery to shrink tumors, or after surgery to eliminate any remaining cancer cells. In some cases, external beam radiation therapy serves as the primary treatment for lung cancer.

Doctor Dang (left) monitors a patient undergoing radiotherapy via a computer system. Photo: Tam Anh General Hospital

Several radiotherapy techniques are used to treat lung cancer, including stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT), intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT), three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3D-CRT), and prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI).

Patients undergoing radiotherapy for lung cancer may experience side effects such as redness or burning in the treated area, difficulty swallowing, pain when eating, fatigue, loss of appetite, coughing, or shortness of breath if radiation pneumonitis occurs.

Patients receiving radiotherapy should consume soft, easily digestible foods and drink plenty of water. Wearing loose, soft clothing can help reduce friction on the irradiated skin. If a patient develops a fever, experiences severe pain, or has difficulty breathing, they should revisit the doctor or inform their treating physician. Do not self-medicate or apply topical treatments without consulting a doctor. Patients need regular follow-up appointments and close monitoring of their health as advised.

Master, Doctor Phan Thi Hong Dang

Department of Radiotherapy, Oncology Center

Tam Anh General Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City