title: A randomized clinical trial comparing systemic radiotherapy versus chemotherapy versus local radiotherapy in small cell lung cancer.
abstract: Between 1982 and 1987 a prospectively randomized trial of sequential hemibody irradiation (SHBI) (A), a non-cross-resistant chemotherapy drug combination (B) and local and/or locoregional radiotherapy (C) in small cell lung cancer (SCLC) was conducted. Previously untreated patients with extensive SCLC were randomized into three arms: A = 31 patients, B = 37, C = 31. In the chemotherapy combination, the following were used: etoposide, doxorubicin, methotrexate (VAM) and procarbacine, vincristine, cyclophosphamide, lomustine (POCC) and prophylactic cranial irradiation (30 Gy). The results show that the median survival was significantly (P less than 0.01) better in chemotherapy (44 weeks) compared with 17 and 20 weeks in arms A and C, respectively. One year and 2 year survival rates were better for the chemotherapy arm. No differences were found between groups A and C. In comparing the total hospitalization time expressed as a percentage of overall survival, an advantage for group B was shown. In conclusion, high dose SHBI cannot be recommended as a standard therapy for extensive SCLC.
authors.affiliation: Central Institute for Cancer Research of the Academy of Sciences of the GDR, Berlin-Buch.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hüttner
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Wiener
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Quadt
authors.forename: K H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Dallüge
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Grunau
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tanneberger
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Merkle
mesh_terms: D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008130:Lomustine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016685:Mitomycin; D008937:Mitomycins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011344:Procarbazine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D011882:Radiotherapy, High-Energy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D011897:Random Allocation; D014750:Vincristine / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D008937:Mitomycins; D011344:Procarbazine; D016685:Mitomycin; D014750:Vincristine; D008130:Lomustine; D004317:Doxorubicin; D003520:Cyclophosphamide