Concurrent Hyperfractionated Radiotherapy with CDDP / VP-16 Chemotherapy in Limited Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer

Song, Hong Suck; Kim, Jin Hee; Kim, Ok Bae

Abstract

PURPOSE
The aim of this study was to evaluate local control and long-term survival of concurrent hyperfractionated radiotherapy with CDDP/VP-16 chemotherapy in limited stage small cell lung cancer.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
From April 1992 to April 1997, twenty-nine patients with limited stage small cell lung cancer received cisplatin 25 mg/m plus etoposide 120 mg/m(2) on day 1, 2 and 3. Chemotherapy was repeated every 4 weeks for a total of 4 courses. Radiation was given to 60 Gy in 50 twice-daily fractionation separated by at least 6 hours, 5 days per week Thoracic radiotherapy was started with first coese of chemotherapy for 28.8 Gy. After 12 days break, radiotherapy was resumed with second course of chemotherapy for another 31,2 Gy.
RESULTS
Twenty-eight patients (96.6%) were evaluable. Patient characteristics include: median age 58.4 years (range 45-67); clinical stage 1IIa 13 pts, stage IIIb 15 pts; ECOG performance status 0 (8 pts), 1 (16 pts) and 2 (4 pts). Objective responses were 21 complete response, 6 partial response, 1 stable disease with overall response rate of 96.4%. Grade III and IV toxicities were leukopenia in 23/28 pts, thrombocytopenia in 8/28 pts, stomatitis in 10/28 pts, and alopecia in 8/28 pts. The median survival time was 19.2 months with 1 year, 2 year, 3 year, and 4 year actuarial survival rates and RFS are 65.6%, 30.6%, 30.6%, 24.5%, and 65.3%, 52.8%, 52.8%, 42.2%, respectively. Overall survival rate according to TNM stage, weight loss, age and sex were not statistically significant. Pattems of relapse were local only in 2 pts, systemic only in 7 pts, and local plus systemic in 1 pt, and brain was the most frequent systemic recurrent site (4 pts).
CONCLUSION
Concurrent hyperfractionated radiotherapy with CDDP/VP-16 chemotherapy seems to produce better local contml and survival rates in limited stage small cell lung cancer.