Can radiation therapy help stage 4 lung cancer?

Yes: We often use radiation in this setting for palliation of symptoms, like palliation of pain from a bone metastesis or to open up an airway etc.. The mainstay of treatment for stage IV lung cancer is chemotherapy.

Dr Ho agreed

Yes: Some sites of spread, particularly if it is to the brain or causing a spinal cord compression requires early initiation of radiotherapy if the patient is going to survive intact long enough for chemotherapy to be effective.

Dr Ho agreed

Help means that: It can relieve a symptom, and restore better function...Brain and spinal cord are key, but any bone, or mass causing pain or obstruction can be "palliated" with short courses. However, it is not necessary to use the beam on every bone scan abnormality if it is not causing a symptom.