Does radiation therapy for lung cancer improve survival rates?

Yes: Radiation is used in curing lung cancer. Its used in varying combinations with surger and chemotherapy to find the best treatment for each stage and type of lung cancer. It is not used in every case of lung cancer to accomplish the desired effect. Stage one for example requires no radiation and would not help the survival if the patient has surgery with lobectomy.

Yes: It improves survival significantly in stage 1-3 lung cancers. Cyberknife provides survival similar to surgery in stage 1 patients. For stage 2-3 patients, both chemo and radiation may be used to improve survival. In certain patients with stage 4 cancer (such as with spread to the brain) radiation may help improve survival.

Role Varies: If you have had an operation, there is no role for XRT in stage i or stage ii. If medistinal lymph nodes are involved, chemotherapy is in order, and you may benefit from radiotherapy to the chest. When you cannot or don't have surgery, some astounding results with hi tech, hi fraction raiotherapy. For stage ii, (+ hilar nodes), i'd be very careful with claims!