Anyone had radiation of the lung? What were the side effects? Results?

Has anyone had radiation therapy of the lung and what were the side effects and the result? Thank you

Hi @lovey529. I do have lung cancer, but have been able to avoid radiation, so I don't have first-hand experience.
Others in our group may be able to help; @bpb.
I'm sure you've done some reading already. This is fairly generic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/radiation-therapy/about/pac-20385162
When are you scheduled to begin? Do you know what type of radiation they'll be using?

Hi @lovey529, I'd like to add my welcome. I moved both your posts into one discussion and expanded the title to reflect your questions. Along with @jhp, fellow lung cancer members like @merpreb @abingham84 @flusshund @carlies @alcott @mustangdee64 @vlpr and others can share their radiation experiences.

I like @lls8000's question and would also like to hear what type of radiation you'll be getting.

My Oncologist is doing a PET scan in October to find out further info. Meanwhile, I have an appt with Moffitt in July. Meeting with the surgeon that removed my RUL for his opinion on what I should do.

Hi lovey529, I am also a senior who fought cancer in the lungs twice in the past two years…both times the tumour was small and they were surgically removed and no chemo or radiation…I was told that if I have any tumours I would have radiation instead of surgery because my lungs aren’t strong enough for anymore surgery…I must say that it’s scaring me to have this done and I haven’t had the nerve to ask anyone else about their experience with this treatment. When I read your post I related to you even though our experience has been quite different but at the end of the day we are all going through the same thing, of course there’s always differences in our cases and care, now that you have opened the door I will also look forward to hearing from others what they went through, all the best to you and I hope to hear more about how you’re doing.

Hi Lovey529,

I'm 62 years young. When my cancer was first detected in my upper right lobe, it was already around 3 cm in diameter, so I had surgery followed by simultaneous radiation and chemo. The radiation was IMRT, Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy, performed at a CyberKnife facility. IMRT modulates the intensity in depth as well as area so that, after 33 rounds, I didn't even have any skin discoloration. My next occurrence was in the brain and it was already 3.2 cm in diameter, so surgery and radiation there. That's a whole 'nother story.

However, last year my father-in-law was diagnosed with lung cancer and his cyst was under 1 cm. He lives near the Mayo Clinic and they performed radiation alone. I was always told radiation will make you tired. My father-in-law was already 79 and said he had no side effects. He was checked after 6 months and no recurrence anywhere in his lungs. He remains cancer free.

Radiation alone only works if the cyst is small enough. If you can do that, and don't need surgery, I'd be immediately making an appointment before that sucker grows! The good news is that I was told adenocarcinoma of the lung grows slowly, but I wouldn't take any chances.

Best of luck and do let us know how it goes. Feel free to ask more questions. I know I had a lot in the early days, and, three years later, I'm still asking questions!

I have stage 1 A lung cancer. I am 71 years old.
I had 5 consecutive rounds of Cyberknife Radiation.
My only side effect was fatigue. The Radiation was a very easy process.
This was done in March of this year, awaiting future tests and checkups.
I personally opted for Radiation instead of surgery.

Thar is good to hear. Mine is very small,9mm, they are waiting til it gets to at least 1cm. Going for CT in Oct
Thank u and happy you are doing well.

Thank you so much for your reply. So glad I joined this site. That is such good news. 2016 I had RUL removed. Really don't want to do surgery again.

All the best to you also