How many radiation treatments will I need to try and cure lung cancer?

How many radiation treatments will I need to try and cure lung cancer?

The duration of radiation therapy is variable. It depends on how it's used. Is it used as an induction treatment before your anticipated surgery? Or, is it used as a palliative treatment, and as definitive treatment, if you're not a candidate for surgery? The dose and the frequency of it is going to depend on your stage, the location of your tumor, and the surrounding tissues. Certain tissues cannot handle very high doses of radiation, whereas other tissues can handle very high levels. That dose is going to be determined by a discussion between the thoracic surgeon and the radiation oncologist, if this surrounds surgical treatment. On the other hand, if this is a definiitive mode of treatment, then this can be a very high dose in particular areas, and will be dictated by the radiation oncologist with the medical oncologist. Generally radiation spans over several weeks, depending on the dose.