Objective: To evaluate the feasibility, therapeutic effects and complications of three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) for small-cell lung cancer (SCLC).
Methods: The data of 19 SCLC patients treated between June 2001 and August 2003, with 3DCRT were reviewed and analyzed. Eighteen patients were treated by radiotherapy plus chemotherapy while only 1 patient by radiotherapy alone. Radiotherapy was delivered at 2 Gy/fraction, 5 fractions per week with a median total dose of 54 Gy. Chemotherapy consisted of 4 - 6 cycles of etoposide and cisplatin or carboplatin. The median follow-up time was 24 months.
Results: (1) The overall response rate after 3DCRT was 79.0%, with a complete remission rate of 31.6% (6/19), partial remission rate of 47.4% (9/19). The 1- and 2-year overall survival (OS) was 71.7% and 35.8% respectively, with a median survival time (MST) of 19 months, and both the 1- and 2-year local progression free survival (LPFS) were 94.7%. (2) Of these 19 patients, grade 2 acute radiation pneumonitis developed in 5.3%, grade 2 late radiation pneumofibrosis in 5.3%, grade 2 acute radiation esophagitis in 10.5% and grade 2 acute hematologic toxicity in 10.5%.
Conclusion: Three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy is feasible in the treatment of SCLC with high response rate and acceptable complications. Further observation, more patients treated by 3DCRT and prolonged follow-up are needed to evaluate remote survival.