The impact of palliative radiotherapy on quality of life of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer

In the case of advanced stage of non-small cell lung cancer, patients usually are not suitable for radical oncological treatment given that curative intent and the goal of the treatment is to reduce symptoms and improve quality of life. Patients with thoracic symptoms seem to have worse quality of live. Palliative radiotherapy for patients with incurable non-small cell lung cancer can be used for improving thoracic symptoms and also symptoms from distant metastases. Radiotherapy — in various types of dose fractionation — can improve symptoms as well as quality of lives. It works better in patients with relatively good performance status. Contraindications to palliative radiotherapy include poor performance status, significant weakness and weight loss, and expected short-term survival.