Limited-stage small-cell lung cancer: patient survival after combined chemotherapy and radiation therapy with and without treatment protocols.
OBJECTIVE
To compare survival of patients who undergo treatment in protocols versus survival of patients not in protocols.


METHODS
Records of 81 adult patients with small-cell lung cancer who underwent chemotherapy and radiation therapy in 1987-1992 were reviewed retrospectively. Forty-one patients were in a protocol; 40 patients were not. Patient demographics and prognostic factors were not statistically significantly different.


RESULTS
Median overall survival was 16.7 months in the nonprotocol group versus 29.0 months in the protocol group (P = .0023). Median disease-specific survival was 18.3 months in the nonprotocol group versus 27.1 months in the protocol group (P = .0176). Survival was not statistically significantly influenced by Karnofsky performance status, weight loss, or thoracic radiation dose.


CONCLUSIONS
There was a highly statistically significant difference in survival outcome in the nonprotocol group versus the protocol group (P = .0023). Differences in chemotherapy-radiation therapy timing and other treatment-related factors may have contributed substantially to the improved survival in the protocol group.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D017567:Karnofsky Performance Status; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D013909:Thorax / Q000528:radiation effects; D015431:Weight Loss