Lung Cancer Radiation Therapy

Our radiation oncology specialists offer leading-edge radiation technologies tailored to your diagnosis and the extent of your cancer.

We offer the most advanced radiation therapy technologies for lung cancer, including proton therapy at the Roberts Proton Therapy Center at Penn Medicine in Philadelphia, the largest and most advanced facility for this groundbreaking treatment in the world today. Experts from both locations, Lancaster and Philadelphia, collaborate to ensure your coordinated, seamless care.

Radiation therapy may be used on its own or along with surgery and systemic therapy (such as chemotherapy) for lung cancer. Our program is accredited by the American College of Radiology and the American Society for Radiation Oncology, reflecting the high level of quality, safety and comprehensive services we provide.

Your doctor will discuss your treatment options and answer all of your questions, to help you make an informed decision about your plan of care.

External Beam Radiation Therapy

External beam radiation therapy uses a machine to treat cancer within the body and involves a series of daily outpatient treatments. Using intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) techniques, our doctors can conform the radiation to the specific size and shape of the tumor. Treatments are painless and similar to getting an X-ray.

The Ann B. Barshinger Cancer Institute is equipped with an innovative type of external beam radiation called TomoTherapy® Hi•Art® technology. This state-of-the-art radiation therapy delivery system uses computed tomography (CT) scans and special software to precisely locate the tumor targeted for treatment. TomoTherapy allows doctors to provide radiation therapy from a full 360 degrees around the tumor. Advantages include:

• Reduced radiation exposure to healthy tissue
• Fewer side effects
• Flexibility to treat difficult-to-reach tumors
• Shorter course of therapy for early-stage tumors—five treatments over two weeks instead of five treatments a week for up to seven weeks