An evaluation of the palliative role of radiotherapy in inoperable carcinoma of the bronchus.
Ninety-six patients with inoperable carcinoma of the bronchus were entered into a prospective study of the effectiveness of palliative radiotherapy. The median survival of the group as a whole was 38 weeks. Major symptoms such as cough, dyspnoea and haemoptysis were well controlled at 3 months and 6 months follow-up. There was no significant effect on performance status. Dysphagia and tiredness occurred in 81% of patients, but were classed as mild in 41% and 47% respectively, lasting less than 4 weeks in 86%. There was no correlation between the radiotherapy dose received and symptom control. Fourteen per cent of patients were dead within approximately 3 months of treatment and were unlikely to have benefited from therapy. Careful selection of patients for palliative radiotherapy is recommended.
Collins
T M
TM
Cookridge Hospital, Leeds.
Ash
D V
DV
Close
H J
HJ
Thorogood
J
J
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D000368:Aged; D002283:Carcinoma, Bronchogenic / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D008297:Male; D010166:Palliative Care; D011446:Prospective Studies