TriangleHEALTH PROFESSIONAL · SOURCE READING
For patients requiring palliative treatment
Source: Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Treatment (PDQ®)–Health Professional Version, National Cancer Institute.
Source updated: May 15, 2025 · Captured 2026-09-09.
Selected source text with whitespace normalised. This Triangle page is not an NCI PDQ summary.
Radiation therapy may be effective in palliating symptomatic local involvement with NSCLC, such as:
Tracheal, esophageal, or bronchial compression.
Pain.
Vocal cord paralysis.
Hemoptysis.
Superior vena cava syndrome.
In some cases, endobronchial laser therapy and/or brachytherapy has been used to alleviate proximal obstructing lesions.[24]
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Evidence (radiation therapy for palliative treatment):
A systematic review identified six randomized trials of high-dose rate endobronchial brachytherapy (HDREB) alone or with external-beam radiation therapy (EBRT) or laser therapy.[25]
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A systematic review identified six randomized trials of high-dose rate endobronchial brachytherapy (HDREB) alone or with external-beam radiation therapy (EBRT) or laser therapy.[25]
Better overall symptom palliation and fewer re-treatments were required in previously untreated patients using EBRT alone.[25][Level of evidence A3]
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A systematic review identified six randomized trials of high-dose rate endobronchial brachytherapy (HDREB) alone or with external-beam radiation therapy (EBRT) or laser therapy.[25]
HDREB provided palliation of symptomatic patients with recurrent endobronchial obstruction previously treated by EBRT, when it was technically feasible.
A systematic review identified six randomized trials of high-dose rate endobronchial brachytherapy (HDREB) alone or with external-beam radiation therapy (EBRT) or laser therapy.[25]
Although EBRT is frequently prescribed for symptom palliation, there is no consensus about when the fractionation scheme should be used.
A systematic review identified six randomized trials of high-dose rate endobronchial brachytherapy (HDREB) alone or with external-beam radiation therapy (EBRT) or laser therapy.[25]
Although different multifraction regimens appear to provide similar symptom relief,[26-31] single-fraction radiation may be insufficient for symptom relief compared with hypofractionated or standard regimens, as shown in the National Cancer Institute of Canada Clinical Trials Group trial (NCT00003685).[28][Level of evidence A3]
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A systematic review identified six randomized trials of high-dose rate endobronchial brachytherapy (HDREB) alone or with external-beam radiation therapy (EBRT) or laser therapy.[25]
Evidence of a modest increase in survival in patients with better performance status given high-dose radiation therapy is available.[26,27][Level of evidence A1]
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Patients with stages IIIB or IIIC disease with poor performance status are candidates for chest radiation therapy to palliate pulmonary symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath, hemoptysis, or pain).[22][Level of evidence C1] For more information, see Cardiopulmonary Syndromes and Cancer Pain.
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Studies cited in this source section
Source citation is not a determination that a study applies to you.
Publication references
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Preserved source evidence · Not medical advice