Clinical observation of docetaxel or gemcitabine combined with cisplatin in the chemotherapy after surgery for stage ll-lll non-small cell lung cancer

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to compare the efficacy and toxicity of docetaxel combined with cisplatin [DP] and gemcitabine combined with cisplatin [GP] in postoperative chemotherapy after surgery of non-small cell lung cancer [NSCLC]. A total of 92 patients diagnosed with NSCLC after surgery were enrolled, and they were treated with DP [DP group] and GP [GP group]. The efficacy and toxicity of the medications were then compared. Approximately 92.4% [85 out of 92] of the patients received chemotherapy for more than three weeks. In DP and GP groups, the incidence rates of grade III-IV thrombocytopenia were 24.4% and 6.38%, respectively, whereas the incidence rates of alopecia were 88.9% and 25.5%, respectively. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant [P < 0.05]. Disease-free survival rates in DP group in one and two years were 76.5% and 50.47%, respectively, whereas in GP group were 77.8% and 49.52%, respectively. No significant difference was observed between the two groups [P > 0.05]. These results showed similar disease-free survival rates of DP and GP therapies in one and two years after surgery for NSCLC. However, DP group exhibited higher incidence of grade III-IV thrombocytopenia and alopecia than GP group. Therefore, we should select a specific treatment for each patient according to individual differences