[Late course three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy in patients with stage III non-small cell lung cancer].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy and radiation complications of late course three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) in patients with stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).


METHODS
Eighty-six patients with stage III NSCLC were randomly divided into group A (n=42) receiving conventional radiotherapy at the total dose of 66 to 70 Gy in 33 to 35 fractions completed in 6 to 7 weeks and group B (n=44) with late course 3DCRT at the dose of 24-30 Gy in 6 fractions (400-500 cGy per fraction every other day) after 40 Gy conventional radiotherapy, completed in 5 to 6 weeks.


RESULTS
The efficacy rates in groups A and B were 55.0% and 82.9%, and the complete remission rates were 7.5% and 31.7% respectively, showing significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05). The 1- and 2-year survival rates of the patients in group A and B were 62.5% vs 78.0%, and 40.0% vs 53.7% respectively, without significant difference (P>0.05). The median survival time in groups A and B were 11.4 months and 19.8 months respectively. The major radiation complications observed in the two groups were grade I to II acute radiation esophagitis and hematopoietic toxicity. The later stage radiation complications in the two groups were grade I to II radiation lung fibrosis, occurring at a similar rate between the two groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Late course 3DCRT produces better therapeutic effects than conventional radiotherapy in patients with stage III NSCLC.
Wang
Xi-cheng
XC
Department of Radiotherapy, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong College of Pharmaceutical Science, Guangzhou 510080, China. w13902400598@126.com
Wang
Si-yang
SY
Yang
Shu
S
Ding
Ying
Y
Shang
Yi
Y
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy; D000328:Adult; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D020266:Radiotherapy, Conformal / Q000379:methods*