title: Unresectable non-oat cell carcinoma of the lung: definitive radiation therapy.
abstract: Between 1976 and 1983, 267 patients with non-oat cell carcinoma of the lung were treated with radiation therapy alone. One hundred thirty-four patients had squamous cell carcinoma; 69, large cell carcinoma; and 64, adenocarcinoma. Stage III carcinoma was diagnosed in 87% of the patients. Total radiation dose was less than 45 Gy in 69 patients (low dose group), 45-55 Gy in 161 (middle dose group), and 55-65 Gy in 37 (high dose group); dosage was 180-200 cGy daily, 5 days per week. Minimum follow-up was 3 years (median, 6 years). Tumor control within the radiation fields was achieved in 12%, 43%, and 78% of the low, middle, and high dose groups, respectively. A complete response rate of 13%, 23%, and 35% and an overall response of 43%, 71%, and 86% were seen in the low, middle, and high dose groups, respectively. The 5-year recurrence-free survival rate for all patients was 7% and was dependent on radiation dose and tumor response. This study indicates that tumor control and complete response rates are improved with a radiation dose of 55-65 Gy and that complete responders have improved survival.
authors.affiliation: Radiation Oncology Associates, Parkview Regional Oncology Center, Fort Wayne, IN 46805.
authors.forename: R V
authors.initials: RV
authors.lastname: Mantravadi
authors.forename: J O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Gates
authors.forename: J N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Crawford
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bajpai
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Trenkner
authors.forename: L N
authors.initials: LN
authors.lastname: Jordan
mesh_terms: D000206:Actuarial Analysis; D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D012189:Retrospective Studies