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Stereotactic Body Radiosurgery Lung Cancer Surgery Alternative

Cancer Treatment Group

Stereotactic body radiosurgery - lung cancer surgery alternative Cancer top

Stereotactic body radiosurgery is a new technology that is used to deliver very high doses of radiation very accurately to tumors in the body. Stereotactic body radiosurgery as an alternative to lung cancer surgery has yielded very high cure rates. Stereotactic Body Radiosurgery presents elderly patients, patients with severe lung disease, patients with severe heart disease, and other patients with poor health a curative alternative to lung cancer surgery. Dr. Robert Woodburn and the team at Methodist Hospital have had special training and have substantial experience in the field of stereotactic radiosurgery. Dr. Woodburn in association with Methodist Hospital have the Elekta Stereotactic Body Frame, the FDA appoved device for stereotactic body radiosurgery. The Elekta Stereotactic Body Frame is the most tested device and is the gold standard for Stereotactic Body Radiosurgery. The Elekta Stereotactic Body Frame has also demonstrated the highest cure rates in the literature to date for lung cancer treatment.

Standard Lung Cancer Treatment for Stage One Lung Cancer top

The standard lung cancer treatment for stage one lung cancer is surgery. Lung cancer surgery often carries a significant risk of serious complications, including long term pain, chronic oxygen use, and even death. Lung cancer surgury is particularly treacherous in the elderly and individuals who are in poor health, e.g. emphysema, heart disease, etc. and is often not possible. Some literature reports death rates from lung cancer surgery as high as 10%. Prior to the recent development of stereotactic body radiosurgery , the best alternative was standard external beam radiotherapy. The problem with standard external beam radiotherapy is that too much normal lung is exposed to high doses of radiation. Exposing large amounts of lung to radiation places patients at risk for radiation lung damage. In order to avoid lung damage, doses of radiation have to be reduced resulting in suboptimal cure rates. Chemotherapy for the treatment of stage one non small cell lung cancer is controversial. Until recently, chemotherapy has had not role in the treatment of stage one non small cell lung cancer. Some studies have demonstrated a possible small benefit in overall survival for patients who receive the treatment. However, it is not completely clear if the toxicity from the chemotherapy treatment justifies the small possible benefit.

Stereotactic Body Radiosurgery Lung Cancer Treatment top

Stereotactic body radiosurgery(SBR) is a novel lung cancer treatment. SBR lung cancer treatment is not surgery at all. SBR lung cancer treatment is an outpatient procedure that requires three visits to the radiation oncology department. SBR is painless and patients can continue their daily activities without difficulty. SBR utilizes multiple tightly conformed radiation beams converging at the lung tumor. A specially designed body frame immobilizes the patient and decreases the movement of the lung tumor due to breathing. With this technology, very little lung receives radiation. The low volume of lung exposed to radiation allows very high doses to be given to the lung tumor leading to cure rates comparable to surgery. Because of the low volume lung exposure SBR has a low risk of long term lung complications in the treatment of lung cancer.
SBR is a promising new technology for stage one lung cancer. Lung cancer surgery remains the gold standard. SBR is usually used for patients who could not tolerate lung cancer surgery or would rather not have the lung cancer surgery. To speak with a Dr. Robert Woodburn about SBR lung cancer treatment or request more information call 219-945-1050 or email rwctg@comcast.net.To learn more about Cancer Treatment Group and the technology at Methodist Hospital Cancer Center vist the web site, Cancer Treatment Group

Who is a Candidate for Stereotactic Body Radiosurgery Lung Cancer Treatment? top

Patients with stage one non-small cell lung cancer who are unwilling or unable to undergo lung cancer surgery are candidates for SBR. Typically patients are unable or unwilling to undergo lung cancer surgery because of older age or poor general health. Stage one non small lung cancer is categorized as a lung tumor with the histology of non small cell (squamous cell, large cell, adenocarcinoma) and no spread to the lymph nodes. In most circumstances, the patient has a needle biopsy demonstrated the histology. Patients must also have a PET scan that demonstrates no lymph node involvement.

Speak with a Physician about SRS Lung Cancer Treatment top

Please feel free to call 219-945-1050 to speak with Dr. Woodburn regarding stereotactic lung radiosurgery. He would be happy to answer any questions. Or, you can email any questions to rwctg@comcast.net. We can easily obtain patients films and records for review if necessary.

Lung Cancer Resources top

Cancer Treatment Research Foundation: This site is an organization dedicated to the advancement of basic science research to the actural care of patient, termed translational research. The has much information on different cancers and information on clinical trials.

Treatment Options for Lung Cancer: This site reviews the various treatments of lung cancer including lung cancer surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy

Oncology Channel: This site reviews the subject of lung cancer and the various treatment options for particular clinical situations

LungCancer.org: This is a nice comprehensive site on lung cancer

Cancerlinks.org: Extensive links to lung cancer treatment sites

Cancerlinks.com: Extensive links to lung cancer treatment sites

Treatment Reviews: Informative free PDF downloadable document extensively reviews the standard treatment of lung cancer written for patients by the NCCN.