COMBINED-MODALITY TREATMENT OF LOCALLY ADVANCED LUNG-CANCER

This paper describes the mechanisms of action of ionizing radiations c ombined with antineoplastic drugs. Some relevant drugs for the combine d modality treatments of locally advanced lung cancer are reported, Th e meta-analyses including randomized trials comparing single agent (ra diotherapy or chemotherapy) versus combined chemoterapy and radiothera py in patients with unresectable non small cell lung cancer and limite d small cell lung cancer are then reviewed. The clinical outcome in re lation to different schedules of chemoradiotherapy (sequential, altern ating and concurrent) is also focussed.