Pre-operative chemotherapy for early stage lung cancer
Author Information
Author(s): Boer R H de, Smith I E, Pastorino U, O'Brien M E R, Ramage F, Ashley S, Goldstraw P
Primary Institution: Royal Marsden NHS Trust
Hypothesis
Can pre-operative chemotherapy improve outcomes in early stage resectable non-small-cell lung cancer?
Conclusion
Pre-operative chemotherapy is feasible in early stage non-small-cell lung cancer and shows promising results.
Supporting Evidence
- All symptomatic patients achieved either complete (50%) or partial (50%) relief of tumour-related symptoms with pre-operative chemotherapy.
- Fifty-five per cent achieved objective tumour response, and a further 27% minor tumour shrinkage.
- No severe (WHO grade III–IV) toxicities occurred.
- No significant deterioration in quality of life was detected during chemotherapy.
Takeaway
Doctors tested a new treatment for lung cancer before surgery, and it worked well for the patients who tried it.
Methodology
A feasibility study with 22 patients randomized to receive chemotherapy followed by surgery or surgery alone.
Limitations
The study had a small sample size and was limited to early stage patients.
Participant Demographics
Patients with early stage (IB, II, IIIA) resectable non-small-cell lung cancer.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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