Combination of radiotherapy and chemotherapy in locally advanced NSCLC.
The combination of radiotherapy and chemotherapy is considered to be a standard approach for patients with locally advanced, stage III non-small-cell lung cancer. The current state of the art of combined radiochemotherapy supported by evidence-based data is presented. As shown in the meta-analyses, the concurrent radiochemotherapy gives a superior outcome in terms of survival compared with sequential delivery of both modalities. This is obtained at the expense of higher toxicity, which makes further intensification of radiochemotherapy challenging. Eligibility of patients with non-small-cell lung cancer for such an approach is limited. The new methods to improve treatment results, such as selection of proper strategies, incorporation of molecular agents into combined treatment and radiotherapy technique modifications are discussed.
Kepka
Lucyna
L
Department of Radiation Oncology, M. Sklodowska-Curie Memorial Cancer Center and Institute of Oncology, ul. Roentgena 5, 02-781 Warsaw, Poland. lucynak@coi.pl
Sprawka
Arkadiusz
A
Casas
Francesc
F
Abdel-Wahab
Sherif
S
Agarwal
Jai Prakash
JP
Jeremic
Branislav
B
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000209:etiology; D015996:Survival Rate
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents