title: Long-term survival following chemoradiation for inoperable non-small cell lung cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To measure long-term survival following combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy for inoperable non-small cell lung cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two prospective Phase I/II studies in the multidisciplinary Lung Service of a dedicated cancer hospital in Victoria, commencing in 1996 and 1997-1998.
  
  
  METHODS
  33 patients referred for treatment of histologically or cytologically proven inoperable non-small cell lung cancer, who had no evidence of distant metastases, Karnofsky performance status > 70%, weight loss < 10%, and no prior treatment for lung cancer. Patients were followed until death or for a minimum of 9 years.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients in both studies were treated concomitantly with chemotherapy and radiotherapy 60 Gy in 30 fractions over 6 weeks. Chemotherapy in the first study (LURTCE) consisted of cisplatin and etoposide; in the second study (LURTCF), chemotherapy consisted of escalating doses of carboplatin and fluorouracil.
  
  
  METHODS
  Overall survival.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Six of 33 patients were still alive 9 years after commencement of treatment. Median survival for the whole group was 2.1 years (95% CI, 1.3-3.1 years), with 18% (95% CI, 8%-35%) of patients still alive at 5 years (plateau).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Long-term survival can be achieved in some patients with inoperable non-small cell lung cancer treated by radical chemoradiation alone, suggesting the possibility of cure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: Nikki M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Plumridge
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Millward
authors.forename: Danny
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rischin
authors.forename: Michael P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Macmanus
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wirth
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Michael
authors.forename: Kally
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yuen
authors.forename: David L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Ball
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000401:mortality* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005047:Etoposide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D015996:Survival Rate
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D005047:Etoposide; D016190:Carboplatin; D002945:Cisplatin; D005472:Fluorouracil