Sara Delgado

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer mortality in the world, accounting for 28% of deaths from cancer each year, higher than breast cancer or prostate cancer.

It is a silent disease, usually not producing symptoms in the initial stages, as the lungs have no capacity to produce pain. In 70% of cases it is diagnosed after the appearance of more serious symptoms, when the cancer is already advanced and has spread to other areas of the body, when it is too late to give curative treatment.

It has therefore been essential to develop adequate early-detection programmes in diseases such as lung cancer. 

Early detection

At HC Marbellawe recommend screening for theearly detection of lung cancerin smokers or former smokers over the age of 55 and in patients who have had some type of lung disease or who have a family history.  

During this check-up the respiratory physician may recommend a low-dose CT scan. This type of scan allows the dose of radiation to be adapted to the patient’s anatomical requirements, meaning the dose is significantly reduced.

Depending on the CT results, your doctor may consider performing a PET-CTscan which will provide anatomical and metabolic information. The most advanced PET-CT systems enable the detection of pulmonary micronodules, preventing up to 45% of lung biopsies.

Technological advances in the field of diagnostic imaging increasingly allow the detection of lung tumours at an early stage, all of which has a positive impact on patient survival.

In addition to advances in the diagnosis of the disease, there havealso been developments in its treatment. There is an increasing tendency to more precise and personalised treatment with the aim of targetin only the tumour, reducing the side effects as much as possible.

At HC Cancer Center the choice of treatment is taken by a tumour committee. The committee brings together different specialists who analyse the results of the diagnostic investigations and assess different parameters such as the stage of the disease and the patient’s age and health status.

The most advanced radiotherapy for lung cancer

Radiotherapy is one of the pillars in the treatment of this condition. When the tumour presents at an early stage, and is localised, curative treatment may be proposed.

The radiotherapy of choice is usually SBRT (Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy), a type of radiotherapy which requires very precise technology capable of delivering high doses of radiation to the tumour area, shortening treatment times and increasing the effectiveness of treatment.

Development of new therapies. Precision medicine

Just as all people are not the same, neither are all tumours. They cannot therefore be treated in the same way.  To ascertain the most effective treatment for each type of tumour, we need to discover its genetic alteration. This then enables us to administer an effective drug for that specific type of abnormality, reducing both toxicity and side effects.

HC Cancer Center provides the facilities required for the diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer. Request an appointment to consult a specialist.

Radiotherapy treatment is a process which includes simulation, planning and finally the treatment itself. Many patients feel unsettled when they find out they need to have radiotherapy and have a number of questions on what treatment will be like and how it’s carried out. 

Dr Paula Sedano, Radiotherapy Oncologist at HC Cancer Center, explains the process. By helping patients to understand the steps that theyhave to take, patientsfeel safer and calmer.

What does the radiotherapy process involve?

Before treatment is given, a series of steps and quality checks are required.These ensure that we deliver the correct dose to the appropriate place, thus minimising the doseto healthy tissue and deliveringthe required dose to the treatment area. 

First consultation

Once the specialist has referred the patient for radiotherapy, they have their first consultation with the Radiation Oncologist to assess the results. If they are a candidate for treatment, the process, benefits and objectives,as well as the possible side effects,are explained. Once the patient has understood all the information provided, theycan accept or reject treatment.        

Simulation

Following the first consultation, when treatment has been accepted, a CT or PET-CT scan is required. This helps us to obtain an image of the region that must be treated, it is needed to plan the most appropriate dose and the exact place wherethe dose is to be targeted. 

During thescan, the patient is helped into a determined position in which they can remain comfortable and for which a special immobilisation system (thermoplastic mask or vacuum cushion) may be required. Reference points are marked in permanent ink on the patient’s skin.  The image obtained is transferred to our system and the patient is then able to go home.

Planning

Once the image of the treatment zone is in our system, we begin working on it. This processinvolves the Radiation Oncologist andthe Radiation Physicist. 

The process consists of marking the treatment zone and checking that the required dose reaches the tumour, whilst ensuring healthy tissue and organs receive the minimum possible dose and always a dose that can be tolerated. After treatment has been approved, the patient is contacted by phone to inform them of the start date and time.

Treatment

Normally patients attend for treatment on an outpatient basis (from their home) and without the need to fast. Sessions are daily or on alternate days, and with an approximate duration of 15-20 minutes per session.

In each session, the patientlies on the treatment table whilst the table enters into an arc which moves around them. They do not see or feel the radiation, although the machine may make a noise as it moves.

During treatment they are alone in the room but are monitored constantly by staff outside the room using cameras and speakers.

A CT image is taken by the treatment machine to confirm that the patient’s position is correct, treatment is then given. 

Radiation does not remain in the body after treatment, patients are therefore able to return home afterwards, there are no restrictions on being with children or pregnant women.

During treatment,patients have a weekly consultation with the Radiation Oncologist to monitor toxicity and provide supportive treatment if they have any side effects.

Total treatment duration can vary from 2-8 weeks, treatment may even be a single session.

If you need to undergo radiotherapy treatment, the HC team will be pleased to answer any of your questions. We have a second medical opinion service where our Radiation Oncologist can study your case and assess which is the most appropriate treatment for you. Book a consultation with us, we are here to help.

Innovative radiotherapy offers more precise, effective and safe treatment.

Cancer remains one of the world’s leading causes of death. Although its incidence continues to increase, early detection programmes, continuous technological advances and the emergence of new drugs have significantly improved survival in recent years.

Currently, oncological treatment isconsidered using a multidisciplinary approach, many cases involve combined treatments, offering greater control of the disease.

One of the fundamental tools in the localised treatment of cancer is radiotherapy, used for treatment in60-70% of patients with cancer. 

Technological advances over the last few decades have allowed the development of increasingly precise machines, enablingimproved control of the disease without complications.  The aim of innovative radiotherapy, in addition to being curative, is to help the patient as much as possible torecover the quality of life they had prior to their diagnosis.

This is made possible usingtargeted and more precise radiotherapy. HC Cancer Center’sradiation oncology team uses helical TomoTherapy, withan integrated tumour tracking system (Synchrony system), a pioneering radiotherapy technique in Spain. This type of radiotherapy ensures that the highest doses of radiation reach the tumour whilst the doses delivered to healthy tissue near the tumour are minimal.

Additionally, its advanced technology allows tracking of the tumour in real time, directing treatment with maximum precision. Treatment is therefore possible in fewer sessions, with equal or improved results.

These advances translate into a better quality of life for the patient, with a reduction in radiation dermatitis, inflammationand fibrosis. In the long term, theyfacilitate the maintenance of important functions for the patient (swallowing, continence, sexual function). They are an encouraging development in cancer treatment which will allow patients not only to live for longer, but also to live better.