Site-Specific Symptom Management: Palliative Radiotherapy for Advanced and Metastatic Lung Cancer

Ryan Rhome, Kavita Dharmarajan

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

Abstract

Palliative radiation can be useful in numerous clinical scenarios with respect to primary or metastatic thoracic tumors. Extensive stage small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and locally advanced, unresectable nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are the most common causes of symptoms that can be managed even in the setting of incurable underlying disease. Dyspnea, pain, hemoptysis, and superior vena cava syndrome are some manifestations of thoracic tumor invasion that compromise quality of life and survival. Multiple trials have been conducted to assess symptom relief and survival, with some conflicting evidence. Palliation of symptoms is reasonably achieved in most of these studies, and some show benefits in survival or tumor regression. Various fractionation schemas have been studied to determine the optimal symptom control. Metaanalyses have attempted to identify subsets of patients that benefit more, with performance status emerging as consistent predictor of benefit. Patient selection remains crucial to determining the risk-benefit ratio of any regimen.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationHandbook of Supportive and Palliative Radiation Oncology
PublisherElsevier Inc.
Pages211-230
Number of pages20
ISBN (Electronic)9780128035238
ISBN (Print)9780128035610
DOIs
StatePublished - 16 Jan 2017

Keywords

  • Endobronchial brachytherapy
  • Lung
  • Oligometastatic disease
  • Palliation
  • Superior vena cava syndrome
  • Thorax

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