The role of radiotherapy in the treatment of stage III non-small cell lung cancer: a survey of clinical practices in Lombardy, Italy, by the Airo*-Lombardia Cooperative Group.
OBJECTIVE
The role of radiotherapy in the treatment of stage III non-small cell lung cancer is controversial. The aim of this survey was to investigate the use of this modality in current clinical practice in Lombardy, a highly industrialized region of northern Italy.


METHODS
A questionnaire was sent to all 13 radiotherapy centers in Lombardy, covering statistical, clinical, technical and strategical aspects, and the responses were analyzed.


RESULTS
A wide range of attitudes was observed among participating radiation oncologists; the percentage of cases treated with curative intent varied largely between centers (4-100%), as did the proportion of patients given to radiation only rather than combined modality treatment (5-100% vs 0-90%).


CONCLUSIONS
An urgent need exists for better cooperation between all clinicians involved in lung cancer treatment, pursuing the goals of a more uniform clinical practice and a more aggressive clinical research attitude.
Palazzi
M
M
Department of Radiotherapy, Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milano.
Valdagni
R
R
Poli
M
M
Buffoli
A
A
Leoni
M
M
Vavassori
V
V
Di Lorenzo
I
I
Corbella
F
F
Nava
S
S
Cazzaniga
L F
LF
D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome