J Lung Cancer.  2002 Dec;1(1):29-33.

Chemo-radiation Therapy for Locally Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

• Oh YT
• Chun M
• Choi JH
• Lim HY
• Kang S

Abstract

PURPOSE: Chemotherapy, followed by radiation therapy, improves the survival of patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, it is not clear whether chemotherapy, followed by concurrent chemo-radiation therapy, can improve survivals compared to only concurrent chemo-radiation therapy. We conducted this study to evaluate the role played by induction chemotherapy followed by concurrent chemo-radiation therapy.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Between 1995 and 2000, 55 patients with locally advanced NSCLC were treated with concurrent chemo-radiation therapy. Twenty-seven patients received the induction chemotherapy prior to the chemo-radiation therapy, and their characteristics and survival compared.
RESULTS
There were no significant differences in patient characteristics, with the exception of weight loss. The group receiving the induction chemotherapy showed a lesser weight loss, but with no statistical difference in the survival results.
CONCLUSION
No advantage was shown with the induction chemotherapy when followed by concurrent chemo-radiation therapy in the treatment of locally advanced NSCLC.

Keyword

NSCLC; CCRT; Unresectable

MeSH Terms

Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung*
Drug Therapy
Humans
Induction Chemotherapy
Weight Loss