Clinical effect of stereotactic radiotherapy for lung cancer with superior vena cava syndrome / 解放军医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate the clinical effect of stereotactic radiotherapy in the treatment of lung cancer with superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS). Methods 31 cases of lung cancer with SVCS were treated with body gamma knife. Among them, the diagnosis was confirmed by pathological diagnosis in 17 patients, and right lung cancer was diagnosed by CT-scan and clinical examinations without pathological diagnosis in 14 patients. Clinical manifestations included edema of the face, neck and chest (31 cases), chest pain and difficulty in respiration (30 cases), dyspnea (23 cases), and varicosity over the chest wall (1 case). 29 patients were followed-up till death after treatment, with the follow-up time ranging from 2 to 20 months, and both clinical signs and radiological changes before and after the treatment were compared. Results Clinical symptoms and signs of these 31 patients were significantly improved after the treatment. The overall effective rate was 100% (CR 8 and PR 21) and the median remission time was 8.3 months. The longest survival time reached 19 months after the therapy. Conclusion Stereotactic radiotherapy seems to be a safe and effective treatment for patients with SVCS with a satisfactory response rate, short treatment period and long remission time.