title: Simultaneous chemotherapy and radiotherapy for squamous cell lung cancer.
abstract: Simultaneous chemotherapy and radiotherapy was evaluated in 13 patients with inoperable, limited stage squamous cell lung cancer. The chemotherapeutic agents bleomycin, methotrexate, 5-fluorouracil, vinblastine, and cisplatin were administered on days 1 and 5 of two treatment cycles given 5 weeks apart. Radiation therapy was given in three 2-week cycles, the first two starting on the second day of each chemotherapy cycle and the third starting 3 weeks after the second course of radiation. The total dose was 5000-5500 rad (50-55 Gy) in 180 rad fractions. The objective response rate (complete response + partial response) was 85%, with 38% complete responders. Median survival was 7 months with two patients surviving 34 months, one with disease and one disease-free. Treatment toxicity was predominantly hematopoietic and renal. Two patients died with massive pulmonary hemorrhage while receiving treatment and a third patient died of acute respiratory failure 1 month after completing therapy. The severe toxicity and the failure to obtain long duration tumor control makes this regimen unsuitable for future use.
authors.affiliation: Medical Oncology Section, Veterans Administration Medical Center, Washington, D.C. 20422.
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Wadleigh
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lunzer
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Krasnow
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Hussain
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Johnston-Anderson
authors.forename: K S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: White
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Cohen
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis