Radiation therapy for stage IIi non-small cell lung cancer: a curative treatment option
Cohen, B.R.; Bailey, T.D.; Talkington, A.A.; Wolff, A.D.
West Virginia Medical Journal 90(1): 8-12
1994
ISSN/ISBN: 0043-3284 PMID: 8128661 Document Number: 429166
This paper analyzes our treatment results for a selected group of Stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients treated with irradiation alone. One, two and five-year survival rates were 42%, 20% and 6% respectively. Survival rates for patients with Stage IIIA and Stage IIIB disease were similar. Our results agree with the literature and confirm that 5% of selected patients with Stage III NSCLC will be disease free and potentially cured, five years after treatment with irradiation. Recurrence in the radiation field continues to be a major problem for patients with Stage III NSCLC, accounting for the initial site of failure in 40%-55% of patients. Improvements in local control will likely improve survival rates somewhat; but, because of the marked propensity for these cancers to ultimately metastasize, significant improvement in survival rates will only occur when effective systemic therapy becomes available.