[Palliative radiotherapy in non-small cell bronchial carcinoma].
OBJECTIVE
Evaluation of palliative radiotherapy for patients with non-small cell lung cancer.


METHODS
Descriptive study.


METHODS
University hospital Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam.


METHODS
Between 1987 and 1991, 146 patients with stage IIIB or IV non-small cell lung cancer received palliative radiotherapy for symptoms of intrathoracic tumour growth. There were 144 evaluable patients and all of them received three fractions of 800 cGy (1 fraction per week).


RESULTS
Median survival was 6.3 months for stage IIIB and 4.2 months for stage IV patients (p < 0.005). Stage IIIB patients with a Karnofsky performance score of 70 and above showed significantly (p < 0.01) longer survival than those with a performance score below 70. Local progression was recorded in 61.1% of patients. However, 68.8% of the patients were free of local progression for at least 75% of their remaining survival time. The toxicity of the treatment was acceptable.


CONCLUSIONS
On the basis of these results and results of other studies, it is concluded that the palliative effect of a small number of sessions with high fraction doses is comparable with that achieved with a more fractionated schedule. A short course of radiotherapy is preferable to minimize inconvenience for the patient as well as for the radiotherapy department.
Slotman
B J
BJ
Academisch Ziekenhuis Vrije Universiteit, afd. Radiotherapie, Amsterdam.
Njo
K H
KH
Karim
A B
AB
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010166:Palliative Care; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D016019:Survival Analysis