Long-term survival following chemoradiation for inoperable non-small cell lung cancer.
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.
Plumridge
Nikki M
NM
Department of Radiation Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
Millward
Michael J
MJ
Rischin
Danny
D
Macmanus
Michael P
MP
Wirth
Andrew
A
Michael
Michael
M
Yuen
Kally
K
Ball
David L
DL
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
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D005047:Etoposide; D016190:Carboplatin; D002945:Cisplatin; D005472:Fluorouracil