Preoperative chemoradiotherapy and surgery for selected non-small cell lung cancer IIIB subgroups: long-term results.
BACKGROUND
Preoperative chemoradiotherapy is feasible for selected patients with non-small cell lung cancer stage IIIb. The aim of this investigation was to analyze long-term results after this multimodality approach and to identify subgroups with improved long-term prognosis.


METHODS
From March 1991 to June 1996, 56 patients were entered. Three cycles of cisplatin (P) (60 mg/m2, days 1 + 7) and etoposide (E) (150 mg/m2, days 3 to 5 qd 22) were followed by one cycle of radiotherapy/chemotherapy (RTx/CTx) (45 Gy, 1.5 Gy bid/3 weeks with P 50 mg/m2 days 2 + 9/E 100 mg/m2 days 4 to 6) followed by repeat mediastinoscopy and surgery.


RESULTS
There were 46 men and 10 women (age 34 to 69 years, median 55 years; World Health Organization status 0 to 2, median 1). Twenty-eight had T4, and 32 had proven N3, in detail: T4N0/1, 10; T4N2, 14; T3N3, 9; T4N3, 4; and T1/2N3, 19. Thirty-four (61%) were operated on; 27 (48%) were completely (R0) resected. Survival at 5 years is 26% for all, and 43% for R0 patients. Toxicity included two deaths (one septicemia, one anastomosis insufficiency).


CONCLUSIONS
This intensive program proved to be highly effective in unfavorable IIIB subgroups with promising long-term survival for T4 tumors as well as N3 disease.
Stamatis
G
G
Department of Thoracic Surgery and Endoscopy, Ruhrlandklinik, University of Essen Medical School, Germany.
Eberhardt
W
W
Stüben
G
G
Bildat
S
S
Dahler
O
O
Hillejan
L
L
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020360:Neoadjuvant Therapy; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D016896:Treatment Outcome