title: [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].
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Pulmonary Disease Hospital of Shanghai, Shanghai 200433, China. doctor.han@163.com
authors.forename: Ming-Quan
authors.initials: MQ
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Jin-Mei
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Su
authors.forename: Hai-Yin
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Wei-Hong
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Long
authors.forename: Li-Ping
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Qin
authors.forename: Ping
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Qin
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Zhao-Ying
authors.initials: ZY
authors.lastname: Sheng
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal