Hypofractionated Stereotactic Radiosurgery Treatment For Lung Cancer

While traditionally delivered in small daily fractions over multiple weeks, increasing intererest exists today using few large fractions (hypofractionation) in the treatment of early stage lung cancers (see stereotactic body radiosurgery).

The hypofractionated approach has been used successfully in Japan for many years and has only recently been popularized in the United States.  It is an exciting approach given that treatment may be delivered with as few as 3-4 fractions, significantly reducing the need for multiple weeks of radiotherapy.

Stereotactic Radiosurgery plan of a patient with an inoperable stage IA lung cancer. The prescription dose was 48 Gy delivered with 4 fractions with respiratory gating.

Ask your radiation oncologist whether hypofractionated stereotactic lung radiosurgery is right for you.