Short-term Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy for Small Cell Lung Cancer
Author Information
Author(s): N. Thatcher, R. Stout, D.B. Smith, G. Grotte, M. Winson, H. Bassett, K.B. Carroll
Primary Institution: Manchester Lung Tumour Group
Hypothesis
Can a short, intensive chemotherapy regimen followed by radiotherapy improve outcomes for patients with small cell lung cancer?
Conclusion
The study found that a three-month treatment regimen resulted in a 54% complete response rate and a median survival of 11 months.
Supporting Evidence
- 54% of patients had a complete response to treatment.
- The median survival for complete responders was 15 months.
- Eight patients were tumor-free and alive one year or more after treatment.
- Patients' performance status improved with treatment.
Takeaway
Doctors treated 70 patients with a special medicine for three months to help them fight lung cancer, and many of them got better.
Methodology
Patients received three courses of cyclophosphamide and etoposide followed by methotrexate and radiotherapy.
Limitations
The study did not include patients with evidence of metastases in other sites.
Participant Demographics
42 male and 28 female patients, median age 59 years, mostly cigarette smokers.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.00001
Statistical Significance
p=0.00001
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