[Hyperfractionated radiation therapy combined with concomitant chemotherapy for inoperable stage III non-small cell lung cancer: clinical analysis of 70 cases].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of hyperfractionated radiation therapy and concomitant chemotherapy for inoperable stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).


METHODS
Seventy patients were randomized equally into two group. The therapy group received radiotherapy with hyperfractionated radiation therapy combined with concomitant chemotherapy, and the control group was treated with chemotherapy only.


RESULTS
The overall response rate, including the rate of both complete (CR) and partial responses (PR), in the therapy group was 60.0% with a CR rate of 8.6%. The overall response rate in the control group was 40.0% with a CR rate of 5.7%. The difference in overall response rate was statistically significant between the two groups (P<0.05). The median survival time, 1- and 2-years survival rate were 12.8 months, 48.6%, and 25.7%, respectively, in the hyperfractionated radiotherapy group, and 9.4 months, 34.3%, and 17.1%, respectively, in the chemotherapeutic group (P 0.031). The major toxic effects of the chemotherapy were myelosuppression and radiation esophagitis.


CONCLUSIONS
Hyperfractionated radiation therapy plus concomitant chemotherapy with paclitaxel for inoperable stage III NSCLC improves the short-term response of the patients, but fail to raise the survival rate.
Zhou
Tong-chong
TC
Department of Radiation Oncology, Guangzhou Cancer Hospital, Guangzhou 510095, China.
Zheng
Jian-xiao
JX
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D019583:Dose Fractionation, Radiation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents