Radiotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer: optimal doses and schedules

The doses and schedules for radiation therapy as applied in Stages IIIB and IIIA non-small cell lung cancer patients show a great variety. Depending on its intent, several purely palliative schemes can be used. When a curative intent scheme is considered, patients can be treated with a more experimental approach as several options are tested to increase selectively the radiation dose in the tumour areas. If improvements in treatment schemes are proven, new standards can be set.