Tuberc Respir Dis.  1990 Dec;37(4):386-392. 10.4046/trd.1990.37.4.386.

Combination Chemotherapy with Cisplatin and Etoposide in Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma

• KMID: 2528468
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4046/trd.1990.37.4.386

Abstract

Of 77 patients with unresectable non-small cell lung cancer 52 patients had recieved chemotherapy with or without radiotherapy and the other 25 patients had been given only supportive treatment without chemotherapy or radiotherapy. This untreated group of patients was reviewed for information pertinent to the natural history of lung cancer. Cisplatin and etoposide combination was used in treated group. The overall response rate was 45% with four complete remissions and nineteen partial remissions. Among 52 evaluable patients initial performance status (61% when ECOG 0 or 1, 27% when ECOG 2 or 3) and extent.of.disease (59% when no distant metastases, 26% when distant metastases) affected the response rate of the treated patients, which was significant statistically. Overall, responding patients survived significantly longer (p < 0.001) than non.responders (median survival 60 weeks versus 25). Median survival for treated group with high performance status (ECOG 0 or 1) was 58 weeks compared to 24 weeks with low performance status (ECOG 2 or 3) (p < 0.001). Patients having distant metastases have Iived shorter compared to those with no distant metastases (median survival 28 weeks vs 48 weeks) (p < 0.05), Median survival for treated and untreated patients were 37 and 12 weeks (p<0.05) respectively. Even among patients with low performance status, treated patients have Iived longer than untreated. patients, however statistical difference couldn’t be compared because of unbalanced patient’s characteristics in two groups. In conclusion, median survival time was related mainly to performance status, extent of disease and response to chemotherapy or radiotherapy. The trial of cisplatin-etoposide chemotherapy with or without radiotherapy for advanced nonsmall cell lung cancer affects the increase of the survival time. Prospective trial and long term follow up for the untreated group must carefully be investigated.