Chemotherapy versus best supportive care in stage IV non-small cell lung cancer, non metastatic to the brain
Rev. Hosp. Clin. Fac. Med. Univ. Säo Paulo
;
56(2): 53-58, Mar.-Apr. 2001. graf, tab
Article
in English
| LILACS
| ID: lil-288651
ABSTRACT
Stage IV non-small cell lung cancer is a fatal disease, with a median survival of 14 months. Systemic chemotherapy is the most common approach. However the impact in overall survival and quality of life still a controversy. OBJECTIVES:
To determine differences in overall survival and quality of life among patients with stage IV non-small cell lung cancer non-metastatic to the brain treated with best supportive care versus systemic chemotherapy. PATIENTS From February 1990 through December 1995, 78 eligible patients were admitted with the diagnosis of stage IV non-small cell lung cancer . Patients were divided in 2 groups Group A (n=31 -- treated with best supportive care ), and Group B (n=47 -- treated with systemic chemotherapy).RESULTS:
The median survival time was 23 weeks (range 5 -- 153 weeks) in Group A and 55 weeks (range 7.4 -- 213 weeks) in Group B (p=0.0018). In both groups, the incidence of admission for IV antibiotics and need of blood transfusions were similar. Patients receiving systemic chemotherapy were also stratified into those receiving mytomycin, vinblastin, and cisplatinum, n=25 and those receiving other combination regimens (platinum derivatives associated with other drugs, n=22). Patients receiving mytomycin, vinblastin, and cisplatinum, n=25 had a higher incidence of febrile neutropenia and had their cycles delayed for longer periods of time than the other group. These patients also had a shorter median survival time (51 versus 66 weeks, p=0.005).CONCLUSION:
In patients with stage IV non-small cell lung cancer, non-metastatic to the brain, chemotherapy significantly increases survival compared with best supportive care
Full text:
Available
Index:
LILACS (Americas)
Main subject:
Palliative Care
/
Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols
/
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung
Type of study:
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
/
Risk factors
Limits:
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Language:
English
Journal:
Rev. Hosp. Clin. Fac. Med. Univ. Säo Paulo
Journal subject:
Medicine
Year:
2001
Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Brazil
Institution/Affiliation country:
Fundaçäo Antônio Prudente/BR
Similar
MEDLINE
...
LILACS
LIS