title: [Combined chemotherapeutic and radiotherapeutic treatment of limited pulmonary microcytoma].
abstract: Between 1978 and 1983, 34 patients (32 evaluable) suffering from limited small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC-L) were treated following the protocol polychemotherapy (CAV) plus thoracic cobalt teletherapy and "precautionary" cranial irradiation (30 Gy in 2 weeks). Minimum follow-up was 30 months. After induction chemotherapy there was complete remission (CR) in 20% of cases whereas at the end of induction chemo-radiotherapy there was complete remission (CR) in 44% (p less than 0.05) of cases. Median duration of the responds was 12 months. Total median survival is 15 months, median NED survival 32 months (6-90 months). Seven out of 14 CR patients received consolidated thoracic radiotherapy (Rt); 6 of these survived disease-free for over 2 years. No salvage therapy carried out has proved useful. Only in one patient (3%) brain metastasis occurred. Iatrogenic toxicity was also kept within limits of brain level. The role Rt plays in increasing the CR percentage, in drastically diminishing the incidence of brain metastasis, in improving the quality of life by increasing the disease-free interval must be emphasized. Finally it should be noted that only CR patients have the possibility to become "long survivors".
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000556:secondary; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000628:therapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014750:Vincristine / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D014750:Vincristine; D004317:Doxorubicin; D003520:Cyclophosphamide
vernacular_title: Il trattamento integrato chemioterapico e radioterapico del microcitoma polmonare a malattia limitata.