[Prognostic analysis of advanced non small cell lung cancer treated by sequential chemo-radiation therapy combined with traditional Chinese medicine: a report of 54 cases].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the influence of fewer courses and prolonged intervals of chemotherapy on survival rate of advanced non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients treated by sequential chemo-radiation therapy combined with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).


METHODS
From Jan. 2000 to Dec. 2001, 54 untreated advanced NSCLC patients (2 stage IIIa, 18 stage IIIb, 34 stage IV) were treated by sequential chemo-radiation therapy combined with TCM. The courses of chemotherapy were reduced and the intervals of chemotherapy were longer than that of the standard regimen. The efficacy and survival rate were documented and the prognostic factors were analyzed.


RESULTS
Complete remission (CR) was observed in 1 case and partial remission (PR) in 20 cases. The overall objective response rate was 40.4%. Median survival was 15.3 months, 1-, 2- and 3-year survival rate were 53.7%, 28.9% and 9.6% respectively. The median survival of stage III and IV were 21.8 months and 12.5 months respectively. The 1-, 2-, and 3-year survival rates of stage III were 65.0%, 49.5%, 24.7% and that of stage IV were 47.0%, 23.3%, 0%, respectively. The quality of life was improved in most of the patients. Cox's proportional hazards regression showed that improved quality of life and treatment of TCM were the significant prognostic factors of overall survival.


CONCLUSIONS
Chemotherapy and radiotherapy combined with TCM is beneficial to extending the interval of chemotherapy, improving the quality of life, and increasing the survival rate of advanced NSCLC patients.
Han
Ming-Quan
MQ
Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Pulmonary Disease Hospital of Shanghai, Shanghai 200433, China. doctor.han@163.com
Su
Jin-Mei
JM
Huang
Hai-Yin
HY
Long
Wei-Hong
WH
Qin
Li-Ping
LP
Qin
Ping
P
Liu
Wei
W
Sheng
Zhao-Ying
ZY
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D011788:Quality of Life; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal