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Radiation therapy is the use of high-energy radiation in the
form of x-rays or radioactive particles to kill cancer cells.
Unfortunately, radiation therapy usually has only a limited effect on
lung carcinoid tumors.
Although surgery is the main treatment for most carcinoid
tumors, radiation therapy may be an option for those who can't have
surgery for some reason. It may also be given after surgery in some
cases if there's a chance some of the tumor was not removed. Radiation
therapy can also be used to help relieve symptoms such as pain if the
cancer has spread to the bones or other areas.
External beam radiation therapy
External beam radiation therapy uses a machine that delivers a
beam of radiation to a specific part of the body. This is the type of
radiation used most often for lung carcinoid tumors.
Before your treatments start, the radiation team will take
careful measurements to determine the correct angles for aiming the
radiation beams and the proper dose of radiation. Radiation therapy is
much like getting an x-ray, but the radiation is more intense. The
procedure itself is painless. Each treatment lasts only a few minutes,
although the setup time -- getting you into place for treatment --
usually takes longer. Most often, radiation treatments are given 5 days
a week for several weeks.
The main side effects of lung radiation therapy are fatigue
(tiredness) and temporary sunburn-like skin changes. If high doses are
given, radiation therapy can cause scar tissue to form in the lungs,
which can lead to trouble breathing and an increased susceptibility to
infection.
Radioactive drugs
Drugs containing radioactive particles may be useful in
treating some widespread carcinoid tumors. For this type of treatment,
doctors employ some of the same drugs used in radionuclide scans (see "How
are lung carcinoid tumors diagnosed?"), such as MIBG and
octreotide. These drugs attach to carcinoid tumor cells. By using more
strongly radioactive particles than are used in the scans, doctors can
deliver higher doses of radiation directly to the tumors. While some
early results have been promising, this type of treatment is not widely
used at this time.
For more general information about radiation therapy, please
see the separate American Cancer Society document, Understanding Radiation Therapy:
A Guide for Patients and Families.
Last Medical Review: 03/09/2009
Last Revised: 03/09/2009
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