Lung Cancer External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT)
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External Beam Radiation Therapy for Lung Cancer
Depending on the extent of the lung cancer and other factors, your care team at Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) may recommend external beam radiation therapy (EBRT).
EBRT delivers high-energy rays to lung tumors, using a special X-ray machine called a linear accelerator. This machine allows radiation to be delivered from any angle and shapes radiation beams to the contour of lung cancer tumors.
Advantages of EBRT
Our state-of-the-art radiation technology enables our oncologists to more accurately target a tumor with higher doses of radiation, while minimizing damage to your healthy lung tissue and nearby organs. As a result, EBRT helps to lower the risk of side effects typically associated with radiation treatment for lung cancer, such as difficultly breathing or heart damage.
Some additional advantages of external beam radiation therapy include:
- It’s a fast, painless outpatient procedure.
- It does not carry the standard risks or complications of surgery, such as surgical bleeding, post-operative pain, or the risk of stroke, heart attack or blood clot.
- Unlike chemotherapy, which circulates through the body, ERBT is targeted to the area being treated.
Types of EBRT for the treatment of lung cancer:
- Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT)
- Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT)
- TomoTherapy® HI-ART
Based on diagnostic tests, we will work with you to determine which treatment, or combination of treatments, is best suited to you. EBRT may be used in conjunction with chemotherapy, surgery and Interventional Pulmonology to fight lung cancer.
Next Topic: Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy for Lung Cancer
