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Proton Beam therapy for lung cancer

Posted by vic83 @vic83, Nov 8, 2025

Anyone had Proton beam therapy for lung cancer nodule? How did it go? Did you have any side effects after? How many fractions?
I am scheduled in three weeks for five days.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Lung Cancer Support Group.

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sonshine161 | @sonshine161 | Nov 22, 2025

One interesting thing i just thought of. After a biopsy I was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma in July of 2022. I had my left lung removed surgically in November 2022. After the surgery they had a better look at the tumor and that’s when they discovered the ALK+ mutation. Then i had a targeted therapy treatment. NED since i started on Alectanib

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Lisa, Volunteer Mentor | @lls8000 | Nov 22, 2025
In reply to @sonshine161 "One interesting thing i just thought of. After a biopsy I was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma in..." + (show)
Profile picture for sonshine161 @sonshine161

One interesting thing i just thought of. After a biopsy I was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma in July of 2022. I had my left lung removed surgically in November 2022. After the surgery they had a better look at the tumor and that’s when they discovered the ALK+ mutation. Then i had a targeted therapy treatment. NED since i started on Alectanib

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@sonshine161, I'm glad the alectinib is going well for you! I've been taking it since May 2020, and deal with the usual list of side effects, but it's been effective at keeping the cancer under control. Are you stage IV? If not, is there a plan to discontinue the targeted therapy at some point?

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rlf66 | @rlf66 | Nov 22, 2025
In reply to @feegee0272 "I’m trying to get appointment now for proton therapy. I have small cell lung cancer ...." + (show)
Profile picture for feegee0272 @feegee0272

I’m trying to get appointment now for proton therapy. I have small cell lung cancer . I don’t know if you have to go thru chemo and radiation first and then if returns get proton therapy. Just found out about proton therapy yesterday. I’ve had 3 treatments of radiation but held off chemotherapy until I find out. Is your cancer small cell lung cancer?

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@feegee0272
No. It is non small cell carsinoma. I begin treatment on 12/1/. Will have a second round 21 days later. It is chemo and immunotherapy. together. Best of luck to you, blessings to all and happy Thanksgiving.
rlf66
.

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sonshine161 | @sonshine161 | Nov 22, 2025
In reply to @lls8000 "@sonshine161, I'm glad the alectinib is going well for you! I've been taking it since May..." + (show)
Profile picture for Lisa, Volunteer Mentor @lls8000

@sonshine161, I'm glad the alectinib is going well for you! I've been taking it since May 2020, and deal with the usual list of side effects, but it's been effective at keeping the cancer under control. Are you stage IV? If not, is there a plan to discontinue the targeted therapy at some point?

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@lls8000 my OHSU oncologist originally suggested stopping after 2 or 3 years but I’ve ignored his advice. So many people on the Facebook group ALK+ have been free of cancer as long as 8 years on Alectanib so I’m continuing to take it. I will follow the advice of Dr. Alice Shaw at Dana Farber. She’s the best.

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Lisa, Volunteer Mentor | @lls8000 | Nov 24, 2025
In reply to @sonshine161 "@lls8000 my OHSU oncologist originally suggested stopping after 2 or 3 years but I’ve ignored his..." + (show)
Profile picture for sonshine161 @sonshine161

@lls8000 my OHSU oncologist originally suggested stopping after 2 or 3 years but I’ve ignored his advice. So many people on the Facebook group ALK+ have been free of cancer as long as 8 years on Alectanib so I’m continuing to take it. I will follow the advice of Dr. Alice Shaw at Dana Farber. She’s the best.

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@sonshine161 , we are fortunate to have access to great ALK experts, like Dr. Shaw! Wishing you continued success.

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mgamga2003 | @mgamga2003 | Apr 27 4:27am

I recently was diagnosed with recurrence of squamous NSCLC. I had previously undergone 6-week concurrent chemo and Photon radiation therapy in 2023 followed by Imfimzi immunotherapy fir a year

I have been approved to repeat the same radiation treatment. Irradiation carries higher risk and I would be a candidate for Proton Therapy which is conjectured to carry low to medium benefit for me. Unfortunately Mayo Jacksonville will not have Proton capability until 2027. (I live in Florida.)

Mayo Rochester has this capability and I would very much appreciate any comments on their experience and value if Proton vs Photon.

I have to make a decision and am planning to have a 2nd opinion video with my radiation oncologist’s counterpart at Mayo Rochester

Thank you

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vic83 | @vic83 | Apr 27 9:30am
In reply to @mgamga2003 "I recently was diagnosed with recurrence of squamous NSCLC. I had previously undergone 6-week concurrent chemo..." + (show)
Profile picture for mgamga2003 @mgamga2003

I recently was diagnosed with recurrence of squamous NSCLC. I had previously undergone 6-week concurrent chemo and Photon radiation therapy in 2023 followed by Imfimzi immunotherapy fir a year

I have been approved to repeat the same radiation treatment. Irradiation carries higher risk and I would be a candidate for Proton Therapy which is conjectured to carry low to medium benefit for me. Unfortunately Mayo Jacksonville will not have Proton capability until 2027. (I live in Florida.)

Mayo Rochester has this capability and I would very much appreciate any comments on their experience and value if Proton vs Photon.

I have to make a decision and am planning to have a 2nd opinion video with my radiation oncologist’s counterpart at Mayo Rochester

Thank you

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@mgamga2003 I had photon in 2023 and after developed pneumonitis and cannot repeat it. I had Proton beam therapy four months ago and so far no issues.

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Profile picture for Lisa, Volunteer Mentor
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Lisa, Volunteer Mentor | @lls8000 | Apr 30 12:47pm
In reply to @mgamga2003 "I recently was diagnosed with recurrence of squamous NSCLC. I had previously undergone 6-week concurrent chemo..." + (show)
Profile picture for mgamga2003 @mgamga2003

I recently was diagnosed with recurrence of squamous NSCLC. I had previously undergone 6-week concurrent chemo and Photon radiation therapy in 2023 followed by Imfimzi immunotherapy fir a year

I have been approved to repeat the same radiation treatment. Irradiation carries higher risk and I would be a candidate for Proton Therapy which is conjectured to carry low to medium benefit for me. Unfortunately Mayo Jacksonville will not have Proton capability until 2027. (I live in Florida.)

Mayo Rochester has this capability and I would very much appreciate any comments on their experience and value if Proton vs Photon.

I have to make a decision and am planning to have a 2nd opinion video with my radiation oncologist’s counterpart at Mayo Rochester

Thank you

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Hi @mgamga2003, I'm sorry to hear that you are facing recurrence this soon after completing treatments. Let us know what the second opinion doctor recommends. I'm curious if there are any updated treatments for your specific type of cancer.
Is your recurrence in the lung, or somewhere else in your body? There is an entire Mayo Connect group of posts related to proton therapy: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/proton-beam-therapy/
Treatment decisions are never easy. You know best what your body may be able to handle. I'll be thinking of you.

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