[Combined radiochemotherapy in localised small-cell lung cancer. Concurrent treatment protocols?].
OBJECTIVE
We retrospectively reviewed our Institution's database to investigate the outcome and impact of combined radiochemotherapy (RT/CT; concomitant or in sequence) in localised small-cell lung cancer (L-SCLC).


METHODS
Between January 1995 to November 1999, 79 patients with L-SCLC received combined RT/CT at our Institution. RT was delivered concurrently or sequentially following the CT. Patients with treatment response received additional prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI).


RESULTS
Of the patients treated, 54% had received concurrent CT/RT compared to 46% receiving RT following the CT. PCI was administered to 80% of the patients. Complete response was observed in 66% of patients. With a median follow up of 30 months, median overall survival was 15.9 months; 14.3 months for patients who received RT following CT and 21.6 months for those receiving concurrent CT/RT. The type of schedule of combined radiochemotherapy was an independent prognostic factor for survival free of local recurrence, as was additional PCI for distant metastasis-free survival.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results are similar to those reported previously in the literature. The main point of interest is that our patients were non-selected. We strongly support the use of concurrent CT/RT so as to achieve results comparable to the best in the literature.
Lucas Calduch
Ana
A
Servicio de Oncología Radioterápica, Institut Català d'Oncologia, Barcelona, España. alucas@ico.scs.es
Arnaiz Fernández
María Dolores
MD
San José Maderuelo
Sol
S
Navarro Pérez
Valentí
V
Serrano Bermúdez
Gala
G
Montes Borinaga
Ana
A
Cardenal Alemany
Felipe
F
Jeremic
Branislav
B
Guedea Edo
Ferran
F
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000628:therapy*; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D016371:Cranial Irradiation; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D004941:Esophagitis / Q000209:etiology; D005047:Etoposide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009503:Neutropenia / Q000209:etiology; D017564:Radiation Pneumonitis / Q000209:etiology; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D012074:Remission Induction; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D005047:Etoposide; D002945:Cisplatin