OBJECTIVES:
* To acquire experience in the marker implantation process for mediastinal lymph nodes and primary lung tumors in patients with stage I-IIIB non-small cell lung cancer.
* To characterize the potential side effects involved in the use of markers in these patients.
* To analyze the positional stability of lung markers in these patients over a radiotherapy series.
* To acquire experience in the use of markers for treatment planning and radiotherapy in these patients.
OUTLINE: Patients undergo implantation of ≥ 1 small radio-opaque Visicoil™ marker into or close to the primary lesion and affected lymph nodes by bronchoscopy. Patients then undergo x-rays to document marker location, detect potentially dropped markers, and diagnose operation-related side effects (i.e., pneumothorax). After marker implantation, patients undergo stereotactic or conventionally fractionated radiotherapy for 30-33 daily fractions.
