title: Chemotherapy for stage IV non-small cell lung cancer.
abstract: Chemotherapy regimens with consistent activities in NSCLC have been identified. A modest but statistically significant increase in survival has been shown in a single large randomized trial, with three smaller trials showing either similar results or a trend toward an improved survival. However, chemotherapy-related toxicity remains significant and seems exacerbated in patients with a poor performance status at the time of diagnosis. Identification of chemotherapy regimens with higher activity in NSCLC remains a necessity, and the treatment of stage IV patients on clinical trials should be encouraged. Outside the context of a clinical trial, chemotherapy is indicated in selected stage IV patients with good performance status in an attempt to palliate their symptoms and increase their survival.
authors.affiliation: Section of Hematology/Oncology, Pritzker School of Medicine, University of Chicago, Illinois.
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Bitran
authors.forename: E E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Vokes
mesh_terms: D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D010166:Palliative Care; D010752:Phosphoramide Mustards / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate
chemical_list: D010752:Phosphoramide Mustards; D004317:Doxorubicin; D002945:Cisplatin