THE CURRENT PLACE OF RADIOTHERAPY IN THE TREATMENT OF NONSMALL CELL-CARCINOMA

Goal. To re-define the type and place of radiotherapy in nonsmall cell bronchial carcinoma, where the disease is localised, either operable or non-operable, and in metastatic disease. Method. A review of the li terature, review of the principle randomised trials and non-randomised trials describing innovative procedures, and a commentary and debate. For operable disease the indications for post-operative radiotherapy are redefined and the treatments envisaged such as those proposed usin g new adjuvents which may ol may not include radiotherapy are discusse d. For non-operable disease, different possibilities have been explore d, including increased doses of treatment, modifications of the fracti on regime, the association of radio-chemotherapy either concomitantly or successively. In metastatic disease the place of mediastinal radiot herapy is discussed and the possibility of radiation of the metastatic sites is recalled.