Surgically proven complete response of stage III non-small cell lung cancer after cisplatin-enhanced radiotherapy. Clinical implications and long-term results.
OBJECTIVE
Pathologic complete response in locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer is the main end point of combined therapies (chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy). Surgery after an induction treatment can improve local control, allowing the histologic assessment of treatment activity by means of resection or extensive biopsies.


METHODS
Thirty patients surgically assessed without viable tumor after concurrent radiotherapy and continuous infusion of low-dose cisplatin, owing to an initially unresectable stage III non-small-cell lung cancer, were the object of evaluation to assess clinical implications, short- and long-term surgical results.


RESULTS
The specificity rate of the preoperative restaging was 36.6%. The surgical procedures consisted of 22 resections and of extensive biopsies in 8 cases. The operative mortality was 4% (1/25) for procedures other than right pneumonectomy (3/5). No patient received postoperative chemotherapy. Eleven distant progressions, 4 local recurrences, and 4 new primary tumors were assessed as initial failures. The 8-year overall survival was 36%.


CONCLUSIONS
Pathologic complete response after cisplatin-enhanced radiotherapy cannot be satisfactorily assessed by clinical means. Surgery is required to obtain a reliable evaluation; however, right pneumonectomy should be contraindicated because of prohibitive risk. Although an effective local treatment can cure patients with advanced stage III disease, the addition of chemotherapy seems advisable to improve tumor relapse control.
Thoracic Surgery Unit, National Cancer Institute, Milan, Italy. amedeovittorio.bedini@istitutotumori.mi.it
Amedeo Vittorio
AV
Bedini
Luca
L
Tavecchio
Vincenzo
V
Delledonne
Stefano Michele
SM
Andreani
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents; D002945:Cisplatin