Accelerated high-dose radiotherapy alone or combined with either concomitant or sequential chemotherapy; treatments of choice in patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
2007

High-Dose Radiotherapy for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Sample size: 131 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Uitterhoeve Apollonia LJ, Koolen Mia GJ, van Os Rob M, Koedooder Kees, van de Kar Marlou, Pieters Bradley R, Koning Caro CE

Primary Institution: Academic Medical Center/University of Amsterdam

Hypothesis

Is high-dose radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy effective for patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer?

Conclusion

High-dose radiotherapy combined with either concomitant or sequential chemotherapy is effective for patients with locally advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

Supporting Evidence

  • The 1, 2, and 5 year overall survival rates were 46%, 24%, and 15%, respectively.
  • Chemo-radiation significantly improved overall survival compared to radiotherapy alone.
  • Local recurrence was observed in 36% of patients, and distant metastases in 46%.

Takeaway

Doctors found that giving a strong dose of radiation along with some medicines helps people with a type of lung cancer called Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer live longer.

Methodology

The study analyzed treatment outcomes of 131 patients with inoperable Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer who received high-dose radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy from 1995 to 2004.

Potential Biases

Potential selection bias due to the non-randomized nature of the study.

Limitations

The study is retrospective and lacks randomization, which may introduce selection bias.

Participant Demographics

Mean age was 66 years, with a range from 30 to 85 years; 89 males and 42 females.

Statistical Information

P-Value

0.024

Confidence Interval

95% CI 10.7 to 16.1

Statistical Significance

p=0.024

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1748-717X-2-27

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