Pathological complete response induced by first-line chemotherapy with single agent docetaxel in a patient with advanced non small cell lung cancer.
BACKGROUND
Defining the optimal treatment for patients with inoperable non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), presenting with metastatic mediastinal lymph nodes, is challenging. Nevertheless, preoperative chemotherapy or radiotherapy might offer a chance for these patients for radical surgical resection and, possibly, complete recovery.


METHODS
A 62-year old man with IIIA-N2 inoperable NSCLC was treated with first-line single agent docetaxel. A platinum-based treatment, though considered more active, was ruled out because of renal impairment. The patient tolerated the treatment very well and, although his initial response was not impressive, after 14 cycles he obtained a complete clinical response, which was confirmed pathologically after he underwent surgical lobectomy.


CONCLUSIONS
In non-operable NSCLC patients not eligible for a platinum-based treatment, single-agent docetaxel can provide complete pathologic responses. Failure to obtain a response after the first few cycles should not automatically discourage to continue treatment.
UOC Oncologia, Ospedale Cardarelli, Napoli, Italy. nando.riccardi@alice.it
Ferdinando
F
Riccardi
Giuseppe
G
Di Lorenzo
Carlo
C
Buonerba
Guglielmo
G
Monaco
Roberto
R
Monaco
Mimma
M
Rizzo
Sarah
S
Scagliarini
Florinda
F
Scognamiglio
Marilena
M
Di Napoli
Giacomo
G
Carteni'
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D000077143:Docetaxel; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011013:Pneumonectomy; D012074:Remission Induction; D043823:Taxoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D043823:Taxoids; D000077143:Docetaxel