Radiation treatment of SCLC

Radiation therapy uses high energy radiation to treat cancer and to ease symptoms (palliation) caused by the cancer in the lungs or when it has spread to other parts of the body. In SCLC, external radiation is used, usually in combination with chemotherapy. There is evidence that in some circumstances, using chemotherapy and radiation together is more effective than either alone.

SCLC often spreads to the brain so after successful treatment, preventative radiation to the brain (prophylactic cranial irradiation or PCI) is usually recommended. 

Learn about radiation therapy

Radiation Therapy for Small Cell Lung Cancer (American Cancer Society) 

Radiation therapy for small cell lung cancer (American College of Radiotherapy's Appropriateness Criteria)

Radiation therapy: How you prepare (Mayo Clinic)

Radiation Therapy and You (National Cancer Institute)

 

Types of radiation therapy

External beam therapy

External beam therapy (RadiologyInfo.org)

Prophylactic cranial irradiation

PCI long term effects (OncoLink)

Prophylactic cranial radiotherapy (MacMillan Cancer Support)

 

See also:
Treatment of metastases