Doctors today hailed a major advance in the fight against lung cancer after a treatment already available on the NHS was shown to give patients precious extra months of life.
Advanced lung cancer is one of the most brutal forms of the disease - with just 15 per cent of patients surviving their cancer for five years.
But new research suggests adding radiotherapy to standard treatment can give patients five extra months without their cancer worsening.
Experts said the findings mark a 'crucial' turning point in the fight against lung cancer, offering fresh hope to thousands of patients.
Around 44,000 people in the UK are diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer each year. Around a fifth of these patients will be diagnosed when their cancer has already spread beyond the lungs.
For these patients, the disease is usually considered incurable and, despite major advances, there are few options to stop the disease progressing.
But researchers found those given high-dose radiotherapy lived 56 per cent longer without their disease progressing than those receiving standard treatment alone, .
Experts at the European Society of Medical Oncology’s (ESMO) annual meeting in Madrid, said the results show ‘the landscape is now changing for cancer patients.'
Dr Fiona McDonald, consultant oncologist at The Royal Marsden and chief investigator of the trial, said: 'Until now, there has been limited evidence about the benefits of adding radiotherapy to standard treatment for patients with oligometastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
'The SARON trial has provided important data in this context, demonstrating a significant improvement in progression-free survival without compromising quality of life.
'It is an exemplar of national collaboration, and these types of studies are crucial for informing personalised treatment approaches for patients.'
Dr McDonald added that the findings should prompt doctors to discuss the option of radiotherapy with eligible patients.
The trial involved 140 patients from 19 centres across the UK with advanced NSCLC which had already spread to up to three organs by the time they were diagnosed.
Half of patients received standard chemotherapy and or immunotherapy.
Julie was diagnosed with an advanced form of lung cancer in 2020 after a persistent cough led to a scan. Six years on from receiving radiotherapy, she remains stable
The remaining patients also received localised radiotherapy, delivered directly to all known sites of the disease - including the primary lung cancer, nearby lymph nodes, and secondary tumours elsewhere in the body.
Those who received the radiotherapy lived for over a year (13.9 months) without their disease progressing, while those on the standard treatment plan saw their disease worsen in eight months.
Just 13 per cent of patients treated with radiotherapy saw their tumours grow in the year following treatment, compared with 40 per cent of patients receiving standard care.
The radiotherapy was also well tolerated and did not affect patients' quality of life.
Experts at Cancer Research UK welcomed the findings, saying the treatment approach could give patients more 'precious time' with their loved ones.
'An advanced lung cancer diagnosis can turn someone’s world upside down, making even everyday plans feel uncertain,' Dr Dani Skirrow, the charity's science engagement manager said.
'Being able to keep the disease stable matters enormously, helping people to live a better quality of life.
'It’s vital that we support research like this that helps people with cancer to live better lives for longer.'
For Julie Moran, 69, from Buckinghamshire, the results have been extraordinary.
After contracting Covid in March 2020, the former cardiac technician assumed her cough would clear within a matter of weeks.
But when it was still lingering six months later - along with shortness of breath and chest pain - she underwent a CT scan which revealed an advanced form of lung cancer.
Julie was referred to The Royal Marsden, where she was enrolled on the trial.
Six years on, her disease remains stable.
'In a way, COVID saved my life. Without it, my symptoms might have gone under the radar.
'It’s strange to be diagnosed with lung cancer after working in heart and lung care for so long, because you can really see it from the patient’s perspective.
'Even after seeing so many ECG scans throughout my career, when I saw my own one, it was off the scale.
'After joining the trial, I received immunotherapy followed by radiotherapy. The treatment worked remarkably well and, six years later, I’m still stable.
'I was able to return to work and, now I’m retired, I get to spend lots more time with my grandchildren and great-grandchild.'