Best supportive care versus palliative chemotherapy in nonsmall-cell lung cancer.
The incidence of lung cancer continues to rise. The need and demand for more effective treatment to improve survival and palliate symptoms increases at a great rate. The most recent evidence for the use of chemotherapy in the palliative setting is summarized in this review of the literature from the last few years. It indicates that in advanced nonsmall-cell lung cancer survival, symptom control and physical functioning can be improved with the use of chemotherapy not only in the first-line but also in the second-line setting, in the elderly, and at disease relapse.
Medley
Louise
L
Specialist Registrar in Medical Oncology, Cancer Centre at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, University Hospitals Birmingham, NHS Trust, Birmingham, UK. lmedley@doctors.org.uk
Cullen
Michael
M
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D010166:Palliative Care; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D011788:Quality of Life