[Concomitant radiochemotherapy for locally advanced bronchial cancers: current results and prospects]

Cancer Radiother. 1997;1(2):113-20. doi: 10.1016/s1278-3218(97)83527-5.
[Article in French]

Abstract

The prognosis of locally advanced lung cancer is reportedly poor in all histologic types. In non-small cell lung cancer, radiation therapy alone results in disappointing long-term survival. Three recent randomized trials, however, have shown a limited but significant improvement of survival with induction chemotherapy, though local control remained poor in these studies as well as in small-cell lung cancer treated with chemotherapy and late radiotherapy. Two randomized trials focusing on small-cell lung cancer have recently shown significant benefit due to the combination of early concurrent mediastinal irradiation and chemotherapy, with major improvement in local control and a more than 40% 2-year survival rate. The concept of concurrent chemoradiotherapy has also been studied in non-small cell carcinoma with several pilot studies leading to both encouraging results and improved survival rate (up to 40% at 2 years). Ongoing phase III trials are comparing sequential versus concurrent chemoradiotherapy and will define the role of radical surgery after chemoradiotherapy in locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Meta-Analysis

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
  • Carcinoma, Bronchogenic / drug therapy
  • Carcinoma, Bronchogenic / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Bronchogenic / radiotherapy
  • Carcinoma, Bronchogenic / therapy*
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / therapy
  • Carcinoma, Small Cell / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Small Cell / therapy
  • Cisplatin / administration & dosage
  • Cisplatin / adverse effects
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Etoposide / administration & dosage
  • Etoposide / adverse effects
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology
  • Lung Neoplasms / radiotherapy
  • Lung Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Radiotherapy Dosage
  • Survival Rate
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Etoposide
  • Cisplatin