Lung Cancer in Practice

Volume 2, Number 2

Chemoradiotherapy in the treatment of NSCLC

Richard Corkill MRCP FRCR, Pantelis Hadji Yiannakis MRCP FRCR Department of Oncology, Derriford Hospital, Plymouth

Lung cancer is common, accounting for over 29,000 deaths per year in the UK.1 The predominant histological type is non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The main curative treatment is surgery, for which less than 20% of patients are suitable. Of the remaining, approximately one-third will have inoperable localised disease where conventional treatment includes radical radiotherapy.

The human face of lung cancer

Michael D Peake, Editor

When chairing my local multidisciplinary team (MDT), I am often struck by the huge range of manifestations of lung cancer in the cases that we discuss. Each patient poses a very individual clinical and human problem made up of elements such as the pattern of symptoms, the cell type of the tumour, its local effects in the thorax, the sites of metastases, their age, co-morbidities and performance status.

Accessing information

Jennifer Dickson BSc(Dist) Patient Network Manager; Jesme Baird MBChB MBA Medical Director, The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation

Good communication and adequate information can help to reduce the anger and anxiety of people affected by lung cancer, and improve patient confidence.

Epidermal growth factor TKIs

David J Dunlop BSc(Hons) MB ChB MSc FRCP (Lond, Glas) FRSM Consultant Medical Oncologist, Beatson Oncology Centre, Western Infirmary, Glasgow

Different ways of delivering radiation therapy have improved survival in early-stage disease.1 In the last ten years, several chemotherapy drugs have become available for the more effective palliation of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In addition, they are improving surgery outcomes for early-stage disease.

Multimodality therapy

Lorraine M Creech MA RGN Diploma HE Professional Health Studies NDNcert ENB931 Macmillan Lung Cancer Nurse, East Cheshire NHS Trust, Macclesfield

Advances in the management of lung cancer and a more active view of treatment have resulted in a significant proportion of lung cancer patients receiving multiple treatment modalities over a short timespan. This case history illustrates some of the problems that can occur as a result of this approach.

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