title: Postoperative radiation therapy in the management of lung cancer.
abstract: Postoperative radiation therapy for lung cancer is still controversial. In a 9-year period, 69 patients with non-oat-cell carcinoma of the lung (16% stage I, 26% stage II, and 58% stage III) received such therapy. The radiation dose was less than 5,000 cGy in 42 patients, 5,000-5,900 cGy in 16, and 6,000 cGy or more in 11; follow-up ranged from 24 to 64 months. Actuarial survival at 2 and 4 years was 50% and 16%, respectively, for squamous cell carcinoma, and 40% and 26% for adenocarcinoma. The 5-year survival for stages I, II, and III cancer was 29%, 17%, and 19%, respectively. Histologic findings and type of surgery did not affect survival, but the radiation dose apparently did. The 3-year survival for patients who received less than 6,000 cGy was 35%, compared with 73% for patients who received higher doses. In eight patients, treatment failed within the irradiated volume: all had received doses of less than 6,000 cGy, and the volume in three was judged to be inadequate.
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011013:Pneumonectomy; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods*; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage