SURVIVAL OF PATIENTS WITH LIMITED SMALL-CELL LUNG-CANCER IN WHOM COMPLETE REMISSION WAS OBTAINED (A NONRANDOMIZED RETROSPECTIVE STUDY OF 124 CONSECUTIVE PATIENTS)

The aim of this study was to assess whether thoracic radiotherapy (TRT ) is necessary for those patients (pts) with limited small cell lung c ancer (SCLC) who obtained CR after induction chemotherapy (ChT). The a nalysis include retrospective material of 124 consecutive pts with lim ited SCLC, All pts had induction ChT (3-5 courses): 78 with CAVE (cycl ophosphamide, doxorubicine, etoposide) and 46 - with other regimens wi thout etoposide. After induction ChT 55 pts were irradiated on tumor a nd mediastinum and in 69 the same ChT was continued for 6-8 courses or till progression. After induction ChT CR was obtained in 31 pts, PR i n 67 and NR in 26. TRT significantly increased the number of CR among those pts who did not achieve satisfactory tumor response after induct ion ChT. The median survival was 24 months for those patients who obta ined CR, 12 months for those who obtained PR and 9 months for those wh o did not respond. In the group of patients who obtain CR, survival wa s the same for those treated with ChT alone and for those treated with ChT and TRT. We conclude that in the treatment of individual patient with limited SCLC TRT is indicated for those who did not obtain CR aft er ChT. Whether patients in whom CR after chemotherapy was obtained ca n further gain by application of TRT is worth further randomised studi es.