Integrating thoracic radiotherapy in the treatment of limited small-cell lung cancer.
Although the need to combine thoracic radiotherapy with systemic chemotherapy in the curative treatment of limited small-cell lung cancer is now widely acknowledged, there is substantial disagreement on how best to do this. This paper reviews radiotherapeutic factors but also highlights the important interactions that occur with some classes of chemotherapeutics. Studies examining variables like dose and volume are clearly in order. Concurrent therapy given early has been adopted throughout most of the world, except Europe. The reasons for this are explored. Multiple studies are now showing excellent results with fewer total cycles of chemotherapy. Integration of newer drugs is another challenge for clinical investigators at the close of this century.
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Department of Radiation Oncology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, USA.
D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D019583:Dose Fractionation, Radiation; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D013997:Time Factors