Stereotactic Body Radiation: Least Invasive Radiation Treatment for Lung Cancer

In the United States, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths, more than breast, prostate and colon cancer deaths combined, reported the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Predominately eighty-seven percent of lung cancer attributed to smoking. 1 Lung cancer is one of two types both attributed to abnormal cells developing in one or both lungs and metastasizes fast or slowly to other parts of the body. 2 Conventionally, for many years radiation one of many options to treat lung cancer. However, conventional radiation treatment has many concerns for patients. The development of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) improves patient odds for surviving early stage lung cancer ("For those who undergo SBRT, the median survival range is more than 32 months."), precisely targeting a tumor with minimal or no damage to adjacent tissue, less than eight treatments and likely not requiring future surgeries. 3

Eighty to Ninety percent of lung cancer death attributed to smoking, and women have the highest rate for developing lung cancer than men. Second hand smoke attributed 20 - 30 percent of lung cancer development at home or at work. Second leading cause of lung cancer deaths linked to exposure radon. "Radon is a tasteless colorless and odorless gas that is produced by decaying uranium and occurs naturally in soil and rock." Other causes of lung cancer linked to hazardous environment exposure such as asbestos, uranium, and coke (type fuel).

Lung cancer is one of two types or combination of both (Diagnosed by the cells appearance under a microscope. 5)

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) or 'oat cell cancer" accounts for thirteen percent of all lung cancers. "This type of lung cancer grows more quickly and is more likely to spread to other organs in the body."

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for the majority of lung cancer cases (eighty-seven percent). "It usually spread to different parts of the body more slowly than small cell lung cancer." Non-small cell lung cancer occurs as result of one of three types of cells: adenocarcionoma, squamous cell carcinoma and large cell carcinoma.

Mixed small cell / large cell carcinoma is type of lung cancer characteristics of small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. 4

Temple University Professor Curtis Miyamoto lead researchers to develop a new radiation treatment referred to stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT - Refers to the areas of the body not including the brain and spinal cord 7.) for surviving early stage lung cancer and may prove to eliminate the need for future surgeries. 6 Stereotacitc radiotherapy (SRT) refers to treating tumors in or near the brain or spinal cord. 7Stereotactic body radiotherapy directs a high dose of radiation to the tumor in a short amount of time than traditional radiation treatments 7: From five days a week for six or seven weeks to three to eight treatments (30 - 40 minutes each treatment 8) 6 Tumor growth or abnormal cells are disrupted from growing or killed during stereotactic radiation therapy. 10 SBRT treatment limits a patient's side effects compared to conventional radiation treatment. 8 During stereotactic body radiotherapy the patient is secured in customized holder, ensuring the area is kept perfectly still during the treatment or machine detects any movement of the patient. 7 Medication maybe administered to minimize the patient from moving or relax the patient from coughing, pain or anxiety. 10 A monitor displays for doctors during the treatment area of the cancer and other organs 7 A computer assisted guidance target beams of radiation, toward a location in three dimensional space. 9

"Disadvantage of SRT is that it may not be able to be used effectively if the area where the cancer is located is to close to a sensitive normal structure, such as the bowel. That means smaller doses of radiation must be given to be safe." 7

Depending on the size and severity of a tumor, stereotactic body radiotherapy averages survival range more than 30 months or 89 - 98 percent cure rate through SBRT, compared to thirty-five percent for cure rate with conventional radiation for early stage lung cancer. Actually SBRT cures at least half of early stage lung cancer patients. During the annual meeting of the Latin American Association of Radiating Therapy Oncology June 2009 in Cancun, Mexico and published in the International Journal of Radiation OncologyBiologyPhysics, information regarding the benefits of stereotactic body radiotherapy will be pesented. 6

Physicians trained as radiation oncologists board certified and licensed educated to treat cancer patients with stereotactic or body radiotherapy, A patient's team of medical doctors, nurses, social workers and nutritionists assist radiation oncologists, when a person undergoes radiation treatment. 7

References:

1.) CT lung cancer screening no cure-all for smokers - http://www.cancerfacts.com/Home_News.asp?NewsId=2326&CB=14&CancerTypeId=4

2.) Lung Cancer - http://www.lungusa.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=2058829&content_id={6F0688E6-33A8-4323-8367-ECACED27CDDC}¬oc=1

3.) New Lung Cancer Treatment Produces High Cure Rate; Hope in Place of Surgery - http://www.seniorjournal.com/NEWS/Health/2009/20090309-NewLungCancer.htm

4.) What is lung cancer? - http://www.lungusa.org/site/c.dvLUK9O0E/b.4104583/

5.) National Cancer Institute - Lung Cancer - http://www.cancer.gov/cancer_information/cancer_type/lung

6.) New lung cancer radiation therapy created - http://www.upi.com/Science_News/2009/03/09/New_lung_cancer_radiation_therapy_created/UPI-12681236609883/

7.) Stereotactic Radiation Therapy - http://www.rtanswers.org/treatment/stereotactic.htm

8.) Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy - https://www.virginiamason.org/home/body.cfm?id=1280

9.) Stereotactic Body Frame - http://www.rileychildrenshospital.com/parents-and-patients/programs-and-services/ro-body-frame.jsp

10.) SRS and SRT: Stereotactic RadioSurgery and RadioTherapy - http://www.stonybrookmedicalcenter.org/body.cfm?id=1572