title: Sequential versus concurrent chemo-radiotherapy in inoperable stage III non-small cell lung cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To define the best sequence of radiotherapy and chemotherapy for inoperable stage III non-small cell lung (NSCL) tumours.
  
  
  METHODS
  A systematic review was performed on the clinical results of radiotherapy, combined or not with chemotherapy, for inoperable NSCL cancer stage III. The mean median survival time (MST) and mean overall survival (OS) percentages were derived for radiotherapy only, for sequential and for concurrent chemo-radiotherapy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean median survival duration +/- standard deviation for radiotherapy only was 10.4 +/- 1.8 months. For sequential chemo- and radiotherapy it was increased to 13.0 +/- 1.2 months. When radiotherapy in the sequential regimen was accompanied by chemotherapy, the mean median duration was 15.8 +/- 2.6 months. For concurrent radio-chemotherapy it was further increased to 16.4 +/- 2.7 months. The mean 2- and 3-year overall survivals for radiotherapy alone, sequential and concurrent radio-chemotherapy were 17.1 +/- 4.6 and 10, 23.8 +/- 6.3 and 18.5 +/- 7.0, and 32.5 +/- 8.7 and 25.7 +/- 6.3%, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Concurrent chemo-radiotherapy demonstrated increased efficacy over sequential chemotherapy and radiotherapy and should be the treatment of choice. Further improvements may be obtained by optimising the conditions for concurrent chemo-radiotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiotherapy, University Medical Centre, Utrecht, The Netherlands. S.Y.ElSharouni@azu.nl
authors.forename: S Y
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: El-Sharouni
authors.forename: H B
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Kal
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Battermann
authors.forename: F M N H
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Schramel
mesh_terms: D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D019583:Dose Fractionation, Radiation; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D015996:Survival Rate