Timing of radiotherapy in asymptomatic patients with inoperable non-small cell lung cancer: a survival analysis and literature review.
OBJECTIVE
A retrospective study of survival relative to the timing of radiotherapy (RT) in asymptomatic patients with inoperable localized non-small cell lung cancer (ILNSCLC) was undertaken to assess whether early radiotherapy was more beneficial than deferred irradiation in these individuals.


METHODS
Between 1981 and 1989, 58 asymptomatic patients with ILNSCLC received early (n = 41) or deferred (until symptoms developed; n = 17) RT.


RESULTS
The cumulative survival rate at five years of patients treated early was 12% and that of patients irradiated later was 0% (p > 0.31). The observed difference may be attributed to the fact that more patients managed by deferred RT received lower prescribed radiation doses than individuals who were treated early (p < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
We can only conclude that the chance of cure is compromised when asymptomatic patients with ILNSCLC are managed by a surveillance policy and an abbreviated course of delayed RT.
Louisiana State University Medical Center, Shreveport 71130, USA.
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Ampil
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Sanghani
D000368:Aged; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000401:mortality* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016019:Survival Analysis; D013997:Time Factors