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Non-Small Cell - Radiation:

If you have had surgery and there is cancer in the lymph nodes or at the cut margin or if you can't have surgery for whatever reason, radiation may be given to the lymph node areas where the cancer has gone or is likely to go to. These areas are known as the mediastinum, hilar and paratracheal regions. Another area that treatment is directed to is an area where a cancer is likely to re-grow, such as a positive cut margin (when cancer cells are found at the edge of the tissue that was removed).

PICTURE

The treatment is usually given for five to seven weeks, usually once or twice a day. Care must be taken to limit the radiation dose to the spinal cord, the heart and normal lung tissue so as not to damage normal tissue.

You will likely have a noticeable increase in the secretions that you produce. In many patients, especially at night, these thick secretions can cause gagging and nausea or the sensation that you have to vomit. This can be reduced by sleeping at a slight incline to help gravity push the secretions away from the back of the throat. The sipping of carbonated water during the day will help, as will the use of a humidifier in the bedroom, especially for those people in climates where there is a need for furnaces to be used.

You may also notice a harder time swallowing, not only due to the secretions, but also due to irritation of the esophagus (food pipe). This usually develops in the second to third week of treatment and will resolve several weeks after completing your radiation treatment.

You may also lose weight. While this may be desirable for other reasons, it can be a problem in cancer patients. You may have had a weight loss as one of your presenting signs and symptoms. Doctors often look for the "belt" sign. In this we assume that you have lost about 10 pounds for every notch your belt has been taken in. This is due to the tumor's need to feed its growth. If you also lose weight from the treatment, your ability to have a faster and complete recovery may be hurt. It may be hard to sit down for three meals a day as your appetite may be poor. Ask your doctor if any medicine can be used to help. Two specific drugs have been used with great success - steroids and megace - however they can have side effects. You may also want to use supplemental drinks for extra calories. Remember you need calories to keep weight. You may also want to try small meals all during the day. This is grazing just like cows do.

Long-term, the radiation may cause scarring of the lungs that can lead to intermittent bouts of pain and fever known as pneumonitis. The only treatment given for this is to relieve any symptoms if possible. It will stop on its own. This scarring and inflammation of the lungs can cause you to have shortness of breath when you exert yourself. Usually by one year you will know what you can and cannot do.

Ask questions of your radiation doctor regarding all the side effects, and how they will be treated. Ask what their experience has been with your tumor and carefully read your consent form. If you wish, you should seek a second opinion if it will make you more comfortable with your treatment.