Early concurrent normo- and hyperfractionated chemoradiotherapy in limited small cell lung cancer (LSCLC). A non-randomized comparison of 22 consecutive patients
Abstrakt
Since 1998 patients with LSCLC have been treated in our institution with early concurrent chemoradiation, first 11 with normofractionated and next 11 with hyperfractionated radiotherapy. Chemotherapy consisted of 5 courses of carboplatin and etoposide, radiotherapy 45 Gy started from the 1st day of 2nd cycle of chemotherapy, normofractionated radiotherapy consisted of 25 fractions of 1,8 Gy once daily (group A), hyperfractionated radiotherapy consisted of 30 fractions of 1,5 Gy twice daily (group B). 20 patients are analyzed, overall responses were 100% in both groups.
Toxicity was more severe in group B. In conclusion both regimens are active, regimen A is much less toxic and better tolerated, toxicity of regimen B is high despite the use of 3-D conformal radiation and irradiation of diminished area after 1st chemotherapeutical course, but this toxicity is manageable leading to no death or permanent complication.