Radiation therapy for lung cancer aims to stop tumor growth with minimal side effects. It’s personalized based on the patient’s cancer type, stage, and overall health. Radiation oncologists work with patients to set treatment goals and consider options like surgery, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy. Common strategies include using radiation:

• as the main treatment, usually with the intention to cure.
• before or after surgery, with or without chemotherapy, to shrink tumors and remove any remaining cancer cells.
• to treat metastases to other areas, including brain or bones.
• to address disease progression in one area while other areas are controlled by targeted therapy or immunotherapy.
• to ease symptoms like pain or breathing difficulties by shrinking tumors