LUNG CARCINOMA-M(0) - PATTERNS AND RESULTS OF RADIOTHERAPY OF ALL PATIENTS REFERRED TO ONE DEPARTMENT

All patients with Mo carcinoma of the lung regardless of the histology , exclusive of Pancoast tumors referred To the same radiation oncology team from 1988 to 1992 were identified. They were 101 patients; 16 of whom were postoperative. To determine the patterns of radiation thera py and results, these cases were analyzed according to the radiation d ose and volume irradiated. Fifteen patients had no or futile dose of r adiation because of poor general condition. No prophylactic radiothera py was intentionally given to the supraclavicular area. Relief of symp toms occurred in 87% of symptomatic, evaluable patients. Distant metas tases developed in 20% of patients. There were no local recurrences in the nonirradiated supraclavicular or prophylactically irradiated medi astinal areas. Increasing the dose to the primary tumor from 6,000-6,5 00 to 6,600-7,000 cGy(180-200 cGy/fraction) was tried in a small numbe r of patients with encouraging results.