SBRT (radiation) for lung cancer: What's your experience?

@colleenyoung Thank you so much for your kind reply ❤️

@mmcorpora I had SBRT twice two years apart for three stage 1 tumors. I had side effects but the tumors have remained stable for ten years. A small number of us develop pneumonitis from the radiation and that happened to me both times. Also, I developed some heart problems that my cardio believes were related to SBRT. But I must be clear, both side effects were preferable to me rather than surgery.

@mmcorpora Depends on location. Doctors should tell you which is better surgery or SBRT. If you have choice here is my experience
1) I had 2 VAT wedge resections (they did not take the lobe). The first was easy, I was driving my car a week later. And they can analyze it and hopefully get all of it. My second one had a complication (fractured rib) but I am still glad I did it
2) I then later had photon SBRT. It was painless and I just got up from the table and drove myself home. However, 8 weeks later I had radiation-induced pneumonitis and am now on oxygen. I have pulmonary fibrosis which means there is much higher risk in complications. Also radiation makes it very hard to see what is in the lung after.

@mmcorpora, welcome. I'm so glad that your spouse's cancer was found at an early stage when the tumor is small and your have treatment options.

I moved your question about stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) to this existing discussion:
- SBRT (radiation) for lung cancer: What's your experience?https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/sbrt/

I did this so you can connect with other members like @char09 @tumanic @vic83 @dave56pa and others who can share more about SBRT.

How was your partner's cancer discovered?

Stage one lung cancer: Spouse went to Surgeon today He said it was the size of a bean..SBRT was suggested instead of surgery..He could do surgery or this SBRT? Has anyone had this procedure? Thank you

Hi @char09, Any new treatment can be intimidating. What questions do you have? Have you seen this other discussion? It may be helpful:
- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/had-sbrt-at-mayo-rochester-in-june-for-early-non-small-cell-lung-cance/

Also, @dave56pa and @tomm1951 have recently mentioned SBRT.

For others: SBRT = Stereotactic body radiotherapy
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/sbrt/pyc-20446794

I had 3 day treatment for 2 nodules RUL Aug 2023. * weeks later I had increased shortness of breath - pneumonitis from radiation - I was put on 2 months of Prednizone starting 40mg and decreasing down to 10mg.
CT scan will provide information on result. In my case it was clouded due to scarring.

Thank you for sharing. I have so few people to talk with about my questions. I appreciate your response and pray that you have many more years.

Hi Char09 - I had SBRT at Mayo twice. Nearly nine years ago they treated two nodules and then two years later treated another nodule. All three remained stable until this point when we're now watching another form. The treatment worked well, I did have side effects. A small percentage of cases get pneumonitis, an inflammation of the lungs. Treatment with prednisone over time relieved the inflammation. I have been blessed with nine years because of SBRT.

I had SBRT radiation 5 day treatment on a malignant adenocarcinoma in my left lung in July. My first CT scan to show results is Oct. 28th. Has anyone else had this treatment? Can you please share any results? I know everyone is different but I need to know of others experiences. Thank You.