[Radiotherapy of bronchial carcinoma]

It is not to be expected that there will be dramatic improvements in the treatment of bronchial carcinoma in the near future. Hence, the only short-term goal that can be aimed at is to optimise treatment modalities in respect of indication and interdisciplinary cooperation, besides strictly realised prevention. With circumscribed small-cell carcinomas radiotherapy in conjunction with chemotherapy can improve intrathoracic remission rates, can delay local recurrences and reduce the incidence of cerebral metastases. With non-small cell carcinomas in circumscribed but inoperable stages radiotherapy is the only--albeit small--possibility of offering a chance of cure. With operated nodal-positive patients, subsequent irradiation improves long-term prognosis. In a palliative situation, carefully applied irradiation techniques that avoid stressful exposure to radiation, can usually achieve relevant improvements in the quality of life.