Radiology, Vol 132, 443-446, Copyright © 1979 by Radiological Society of North America
Response to thoracic radiotherapy in patients with small cell carcinoma of the lung after failure of combination chemotherapy
DC Ihde, FS Bilek, MH Cohen, PA Bunn, J Eddy and JD Minna
Chest radiotherapy was given to 23 patients with small cell carcinoma of
the lung after development of progressive intrathoracic tumor on
chemotherapeutic regimens. Treatment schedules were variable, with a median
dose of 3,200 rad (32 Gy) in 10 fractions. Objective tumor regression
within the radiation portal was observed in 12 patients (52%). Only 3/12
responders did not develop clinically detectable local tumor recurrence
before death. Actuarial median time to local tumor progression was 2.5
months in responding and 3.5 months in nonresponding patients. Relapse of
intrathoracic small cell carcinoma despite combination chemotherapy was not
effectively treated by chest irradiation in the doses utilized. If
sustained local palliation is required in this population, higher doses of
radiation should be considered.
