title: Thoracic radiotherapy variables: influence on local control in small cell lung cancer limited disease.
abstract: In limited small cell lung cancer (LSCLC), the high local failure rate of chemotherapy by itself (60-100%) and with the addition of external beam radiotherapy (approximately 30%) has led to investigation of methods to improve local control. To that end, we integrated Platinum 60 mg/m2, d. 1, 22 and Etoposide 120 mg/m2, d. 4, 6, & 8; 25, 27 & 29 with concurrent twice-daily 150 cGy (total dose: 4500 cGy). Of 32 consecutively referred patients, 4 with variant histology, 31 were evaluable for toxicity, response, and survival. Two of 4 variant histology patients responded, and 27 of 27 pure small cell responded, p = 0.005. CT scans were inaccurate at forecasting survival. Of 17/32 patients considered "positive," 59% of these were survivors; of those considered "negative," 47% were survivors, p = N.S. Radiation portals were volumetrically conservative; the supraclavicular fossa was included infrequently and the contralateral hilum not at all. Local failure occurred in only 1/27 patients (4%). All four variant patients failed locally, p = 0.001. With a median follow-up of 43 months, the actuarial disease-free survival remains nearly 50%. Variant histology is more predictive of local control than the physical factors of dose or volume.
authors.affiliation: Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor 48109.
authors.forename: A T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Turrisi
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Glover
mesh_terms: D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005047:Etoposide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D015996:Survival Rate
chemical_list: D005047:Etoposide; D002945:Cisplatin