Changes in non-surgical management of stage III non-small cell lung cancer at a single institution between 2003 and 2010. (March 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: van Reij, Ellen J. F.; Dahele, Max; van de Ven, Peter M.; de Haan, Patricia F.; Verbakel, Wilko F. A. R.; Smit, Egbert F.; Slotman, Ben J.; Senan, Suresh
• Is Part Of: Acta oncologica. Volume 53:Number 3(2014)
• Page Start: 316
• Page End: 323
• Publication Date: 2014-03
• Subjects: Oncology -- Periodicals; Cancer -- Treatment -- Periodicals; 616.992
• DOI: 10.3109/0284186X.2013.819995
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0284-186X

Abstract

<abstract> <title>Abstract</title> <p> <italic>Background.</italic> Concurrent chemo-radiotherapy (CON-CRT) is recommended for selected patients with stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but utilization varies. We assessed the response to national guidelines introduced in 2004 and the impact on outcomes. <italic>Material and methods.</italic> Retrospective study of stage III NSCLC patients treated with radical intent non-surgical treatment during 2003–2010 in a university medical center characterized by multidisciplinary assessment, routine use of four-dimensional computed tomography for radiotherapy planning, and rapid implementation of radiotherapy advances. <italic>Results.</italic> Between 2003 and 2010, 319/435 (73%) patients with stage III NSCLC received (chemo) radiotherapy. The number receiving CON-CRT in successive two-year periods increased from 13/48 (27%) – 40/80 (50%) – 63/90 (70%), to 74/101 (73%). Median overall survival (OS) from start of radiotherapy was 18.6 months for CON-CRT (190/319) and 17.4 months for sequential (SEQ), typically hypofractionated, CRT (90/319) (p = 0.78). Eleven months OS with radiotherapy alone (39/319) was significantly shorter (p = 0.006). OS did not differ between the four periods (p = 0.87). CON-CRT was not over-represented in the 16% of patients dying within five months of starting radiotherapy. <italic>Conclusions.</italic> Between 2003 and 2010, CON-CRT for stage III NSCLC was rapidly and safely increased. However, OS did not increase and, as practiced, did not differ between CON- or SEQ-CRT.</p> </abstract>