Combined chemoradiotherapy in small cell lung cancer.
Combined chemoradiotherapy is the established standard of care for limited stage small cell lung cancer; it provides cure in 15% to 25% of patients. Early concurrent therapy imparts a 5% long-term survival benefit compared with sequential therapy. Hyperfractionated delivery of radiotherapy may provide a small incremental benefit when compared with standard fractionation. Radiotherapy dose escalation and reduced radiotherapy volumes are feasible; however, survival benefit has not been confirmed. Cisplatin and etoposide remain the preferred chemotherapy agents. New chemotherapeutic agents and novel treatment approaches are under intense investigation.
Hahn
Noah M
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Division of Hematology and Oncology, Indiana University Cancer Center, 535 Barnhill Drive, Indiana University Cancer Pavilion, Room RT473, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.
Hanna
Nasser
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D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*