Can 35 rounds of radiation stop adrenal gland metastasis?

Question

Hello doctor,

My father is 63 years old, and his lung cancer has now spread to his adrenal glands. His oncologist has recommended 35 rounds of radiation, but we are very anxious about whether such an extensive course is safe and effective for someone his age.

Can 35 rounds of radiation help a 63-year-old with lung cancer and adrenal gland mets without causing severe side effects?
Will it actually improve his survival chances or manage the symptoms?
We need to understand the full picture before agreeing to this treatment plan for him.

Please suggest.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

I wish you good health and speed recovery for your father. I understand and truly appreciate the amount of fear and anxiety you have regarding your father's condition.

But I do not know the exact stage you mentioned. He will receive 35 sessions of radiation therapy, and I am not sure whether he will receive radiation alone or combined with chemotherapy.

Generally speaking, radiation therapy alone for lung cancer usually has minimal side effects and may cause mild skin irritation, treated with simple emollient creams, and sometimes an increased cough due to a reaction with tumor cells in the lungs.

But if chemotherapy is given with radiation, this becomes a more intensive treatment. Chemotherapy is more aggressive and may cause hair loss, decreased appetite, weight loss, and reduced desire to eat.

So during this phase, you need to provide strong nutritional and emotional support. This phase is temporary, and after completing chemotherapy, he usually regains his strength. Regarding his age of 63, tolerance varies; some patients at this age are fit and can tolerate chemotherapy.

While others may have conditions like hypertension, diabetes, or other illnesses that reduce their general condition, in such cases, we may avoid chemotherapy and prefer targeted therapy or immunotherapy, which have fewer side effects and still provide good tumor control.

Lung cancer often responds well to treatment, and whichever option is started can give good results. The treatment plan involves:

Radiotherapy.
Chemotherapy.
Targeted therapy.
Best supportive care.

If his condition worsens at any stage, we can switch to another line of treatment with fewer side effects, so try to be reassured that he needs emotional and nutritional support.

I hope this helps you.

Thank you.