Induction therapy in small cell lung carcinoma
Thorud, E.; Tausjø, J.; Høst, H.; Loeb, M.; Lotsberg, J.; Nome, O.; Sjølie, I.
Tidsskrift for den Norske Laegeforening Tidsskrift for Praktisk Medicin Ny Raekke 105(28): 1974-1977
1985
ISSN/ISBN: 0029-2001 PMID: 3000019 Document Number: 249593
Combination chemotherapy in small cell lung carcinoma has improved survival considerably. During 1979-81 171 patients were treated with doxorubicin, vincristine and cyclophosphamide, and radiotherapy to the thorax for limited disease, for small cell lung carcinoma at The Norwegian Radium Hospital [Norway]. Close to 80% of the patients were between 50 and 70 years, and only 20% were women. 3/4 of the patients had an objective response of neoplastic tissue. A complete response was seen in 42% of patients with limited disease. Median survival for the whole group was ten months. The three year survival for patients that achieved complete response was 16% and 12% for limited and extensive disease respectively. Recurrence after complete response was most frequently seen in the thorax, but 1/3 of the patients had their first site of recurrence in the central nervous system. Such metastases appeared rapidly and the results support the use of prophylactic cranial irradiation for patients with a complete response. The side effects of the treatment were judged acceptable also in terms of the survival benefit. Small cell carcinoma is at time present treated according to a multi-centre protocol, used in all regional hospitals in Norway. Some of the patients receive curative treatment.