← Back to Lung Cancer Awareness - August 2026

Radiation therapy for lung cancer is evolving beyond simply destroying cancer cells. Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) delivers a few high-dose treatments directly to the tumour while minimizing damage to nearby healthy tissue, and is the standard for early-stage, inoperable lung cancer. Low-Dose Radiation Therapy (LDRT), by contrast, uses much smaller doses and works by changing the tumour microenvironment — potentially improving blood flow and making immunotherapy work more effectively. This article explains how the two approaches differ and where each may be useful.

Radiation, but in Two Roles

SBRT uses advanced imaging to precisely locate the tumour and deliver a high dose of focused radiation over three to five sessions. For patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who cannot undergo surgery, SBRT offers an excellent chance of effective tumour control and is a standard, safe treatment option.

LDRT works differently — using very small doses (a tenth to a fifth of a typical SBRT dose) to change the tumour microenvironment. Cancer cells can escape the immune system by reducing oxygen levels, weakening immune response and forming abnormal blood vessels. LDRT may help reverse some of these changes, improving blood flow and enabling immune cells to reach the tumour — making treatments like immunotherapy work more effectively.