title: Advanced epidermoid lung cancer: prolonged survival after chemotherapy.
abstract: The charts and pathologic reports for 4 patients seen at our institution with advanced incurable epidermoid carcinoma of the lung, who had prolonged disease-free survival after chemotherapy, were reviewed. All patients had Stage III bronchogenic carcinoma. Our study indicates that patients with epidermoid carcinoma of the lung who achieve a complete response have a better survival than those patients who have a partial response or no response. All complete responses were achieved after two to three months of chemotherapy, and if a response is not seen by then a modification of the treatment program is recommended. We propose that complete response should be considered the most important prognostic factor for therapeutic trials in epidermoid carcinoma of the lung.
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002283:Carcinoma, Bronchogenic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents