The Study of Combined Treatment in Locally Advanced Non - Small Cell Lung Cancer / 대한내과학회지

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The majority of patients with locally advanced, unresectable, non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC) were treated with conventional thoracic radiation therapy Throcic radiation therapy produces tumor regression in most patients but few cures and dismal 5-year survival rate. Several randomized studies have demonstrated that systemic chemotherapy controls micrometastasis and improve survival ratNes for patients who have locally advanced NSCI.C. Hut the optimal frequency of chemotherapy and sequence for chemotherapy and radiotherapy are yet to be determined. In this study, we analyzed response rate, median survival time, side effects and prognostic variables according to the frequency of chemotheray in locally advanced NSCLC patients. METHODS: We separated locally advanced, unresectable, NSCLC patients into two groups according to given number of chemotherapy cycles. Among 28 patients evaluated, eleven patients were classified to group A, receiving above 3 cycled chemotherapy and seventeen patients, classified to group B, receiving 3 cycled chemotherapy. In both groups, thoracic irradiation of 5940 cGy was given to all patients after chemotherapy. RESULTS: 1) Median survival time was 12.9 months for group A, 12.8 months for group B but there was no statistically significant difference(P>0.05), 2) Overall response rates were not significantly different between two groups(P>0.05). 3) Frequency rate of local failure and distant metastasis were not significantly different between two groups (P>0.05). 4) The grade and frequency of toxicities during treatment were not significantly different between two groups (P>0.05). 5) Clinical stage was the only major prognostic factor for overall survival (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Median survival time, response rate, toxicities and frequency of local failure and distant metastasis were not significantly different between two groups. So, when we treat locally advanced, unresectable, NSCLC patients in sequential combined treatement, we should consider planned therapy(limiting chemotherapy cycles given), because planned therapy reduces many troubles of patients, that is, economic loss and time consuming, psychiatric anxiety etc, during treatment period. The optimal frequency of chemotherapy is remained to be validated in large scale study in the future in the setting of combined treatment.