Individual Boosting in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Using Hypofractionation, Intensity-modulated Radiation Therapy and Respiratory Gating

Patients who have inoperable non-small cell lung cancer are presently treated with chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Despite this combined approach, the vast majority of patients will have their cancer recur after treatment. A recurrence is not curable at this time. Because of the sensitivity of surrounding structures to chest irradiation, it has not been possible to give radiation doses that can cure many of these tumors. Intensity-modulated radiation therapy is a special form of radiotherapy delivery that allows doctors to reduce the amount of radiation dose to normal tissues and therefore reduce side effects. The reduction of radiation side effects may allow more radiation to be delivered to tumors, therefore improving tumor control and possibly longevity of patients. The purpose of this study is to determine whether the combination of custom designed intensity-modulated radiotherapy (based on individual tumor anatomy) with regular chemotherapy, will be safe enough to allow further intensification of radiation treatment.