Radiation Therapy for Lung Cancer
Exam Questions with Latest Update
Explain the trends in lifetime risk across genders and how it is changing: - Answer-The
lifetime risk show that men are more likely to get lung cancer but overtime the two
genders are colliding due to the habit of smoking
What is the survival rate of lung cancer? - Answer-The survival rate of such a cancer in
the long run is very low with only 15% chance of survival for 5 years
What are the main causes of lung cancer? - Answer-There are several key causes of
lung cancer and they are smoking (active and passive), asbestos exposure and family
history
How is family history a reason to get lung cancer? - Answer-Incidences occur due to
family history and genetics such as mutations, hence why children can also get lung
cancer
What does asbestos cause? - Answer-Asbestos exposure is linked with mesothelioma
which while less common is much more dangerous
Where is lung cancer most likely found in the lung? - Answer-It is more common to get
lung cancer in the inferior lobe as this is the lobe which does most of the initial breathing
What is stage four lung cancer? - Answer-Once spread to the cervical/supraclavicular
nodes it is termed staged 4
What do the findings of PET/CT scans show? Explain each: - Answer-1. Small
resectable primary and node negative would see surgery or SABR be used
2. Node positive confined to the thorax would see a typical dose of 60Gy in 30 fraction
3. Metastatic disease is typically palliative treatment either chemo or RT`
What are the typical palliative doses? Explain each: - Answer-Often we can also see a
dose of 20Gy in 5 fractions given, while this is less dose overall, the relative biological
effectiveness is greater due to such a high dose per fraction
36Gy In 12 can also be given but only if there is a survival prognosis of greater than 6
months
How is the patient set up? What variations can occur? - Answer-Patient positioning:
Supine, arms elevated but this can be adapted to either one arm up or both depending
on the patient condition
Exam Questions with Latest Update
Explain the trends in lifetime risk across genders and how it is changing: - Answer-The
lifetime risk show that men are more likely to get lung cancer but overtime the two
genders are colliding due to the habit of smoking
What is the survival rate of lung cancer? - Answer-The survival rate of such a cancer in
the long run is very low with only 15% chance of survival for 5 years
What are the main causes of lung cancer? - Answer-There are several key causes of
lung cancer and they are smoking (active and passive), asbestos exposure and family
history
How is family history a reason to get lung cancer? - Answer-Incidences occur due to
family history and genetics such as mutations, hence why children can also get lung
cancer
What does asbestos cause? - Answer-Asbestos exposure is linked with mesothelioma
which while less common is much more dangerous
Where is lung cancer most likely found in the lung? - Answer-It is more common to get
lung cancer in the inferior lobe as this is the lobe which does most of the initial breathing
What is stage four lung cancer? - Answer-Once spread to the cervical/supraclavicular
nodes it is termed staged 4
What do the findings of PET/CT scans show? Explain each: - Answer-1. Small
resectable primary and node negative would see surgery or SABR be used
2. Node positive confined to the thorax would see a typical dose of 60Gy in 30 fraction
3. Metastatic disease is typically palliative treatment either chemo or RT`
What are the typical palliative doses? Explain each: - Answer-Often we can also see a
dose of 20Gy in 5 fractions given, while this is less dose overall, the relative biological
effectiveness is greater due to such a high dose per fraction
36Gy In 12 can also be given but only if there is a survival prognosis of greater than 6
months
How is the patient set up? What variations can occur? - Answer-Patient positioning:
Supine, arms elevated but this can be adapted to either one arm up or both depending
on the patient condition
