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Radiation therapy
Source: Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Treatment (PDQ®)–Patient Version, National Cancer Institute.
Source updated: May 16, 2025 · Captured 2026-09-09.
Selected source text with whitespace normalised. This Triangle page is not an NCI PDQ summary. Independent clinical review is pending.
Context: Treatment Option Overview / The following types of treatment are used:
Radiation therapy is a cancer treatment that uses high-energy x-rays or other types of radiation to kill cancer cells or keep them from growing. There are two types of radiation therapy:
External radiation therapy uses a machine outside the body to send radiation toward the area of the body with cancer. Certain ways of giving external radiation therapy can help keep radiation from damaging nearby healthy tissue:
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External radiation therapy uses a machine outside the body to send radiation toward the area of the body with cancer. Certain ways of giving external radiation therapy can help keep radiation from damaging nearby healthy tissue:
Stereotactic body radiation therapy uses special equipment to ensure you are in the same position for each radiation treatment. Once a day for several days, a radiation machine aims a larger than usual dose of radiation directly at the tumor. By having you in the same position for each treatment, there is less damage to nearby healthy tissue. This procedure is also called stereotactic external beam radiation therapy and stereotaxic radiation therapy.
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External radiation therapy uses a machine outside the body to send radiation toward the area of the body with cancer. Certain ways of giving external radiation therapy can help keep radiation from damaging nearby healthy tissue:
Stereotactic radiosurgery is used to treat lung cancer that has spread to the brain. A rigid head frame is attached to the skull to keep the head still during the radiation treatment. A machine aims a single large dose of radiation directly at the tumor in the brain. This procedure does not involve surgery. It is also called stereotaxic radiosurgery, radiosurgery, and radiation surgery.
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Internal radiation therapy uses a radioactive substance sealed in needles, seeds, wires, or catheters that are placed directly into or near the cancer.
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For tumors in the airways, radiation is given directly to the tumor through an endoscope.
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The way the radiation therapy is given depends on the type and stage of the cancer being treated. It also depends on where the cancer is found. External and internal radiation therapy are used to treat non-small cell lung cancer.
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Preserved source evidence · Independent clinical review pending · Not medical advice