Increased survival with high‐dose multifield radiotherapy and intensive chemotherapy in limited small cell carcinoma of the lung Journal Article


Authors: Shank, B.; Scher, H.; Hilaris, B. S.; Pinsky, C.; Martin, M.; Wittes, R. E.
Article Title: Increased survival with high‐dose multifield radiotherapy and intensive chemotherapy in limited small cell carcinoma of the lung
Abstract: From June 1979 through April 1982, we treated 35 patients with limited small cell carcinoma on an intensive chemo‐radio‐immunotherapy regimen, consisting of induction with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and vincristine, alternately cycled with VP‐16 and cisplatin. Patients were stratified by performance status and randomized to thymosin, fraction V, or no thymosin. Induction was followed by consolidation, consisting of prophylactic whole‐brain radiotherapy and multifield radiotherapy to the primary and mediastinum with cyclophosphamide and vincristine. Patients who were complete responders (CRs) postconsolidation resumed maintenance immediately. Patients were followed from 1 to 3.8 years (median, 2.2 years) at the time of analysis. After induction, 35% (12/34) had become CRs; after consolidation radiotherapy, an additional 10/34 became CRs for a total CR rate of 65% (22/34). There were only 9/34 local failures (26%), of which all but one were inpatients who had not become CRs. A prolonged median survival (21 months) has been obtained in patients with limited small cell carcinoma of lung treated with an intensive combined modality regimen. At 1 year, survival is 83%; at 2 years, 46%. There is a 33% long‐term survival (>3 years). There is no difference in survival or recurrence rate between patients treated with or without thymosin. Copyright © 1985 American Cancer Society
Keywords: survival; adult; clinical article; aged; middle aged; cisplatin; doxorubicin; combined modality therapy; chemotherapy; brain neoplasms; follow-up studies; etoposide; antineoplastic combined chemotherapy protocols; lung neoplasms; radiotherapy dosage; radiotherapy; tomography, x-ray computed; cyclophosphamide; vincristine; lung small cell cancer; immunotherapy; diagnosis; thymosin; therapy; carcinoma, small cell; respiratory system; humans; prognosis; human; male; female; priority journal
Journal Title: Cancer
Volume: 56
Issue: 12
ISSN: 0008-543X
Publisher: Wiley Blackwell  
Date Published: 1985-12-15
Start Page: 2771
End Page: 2778
Language: English
DOI: 10.1002/1097-0142(19851215)56:12<2771::Aid-cncr2820561209>3.0.Co;2-a
PROVIDER: scopus
PUBMED: 2996747
DOI/URL:
Notes: Article -- Export Date: 26 October 2021 -- Source: Scopus
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MSK Authors
  1. Howard Scher
    1130 Scher
  2. Robert Wittes
    13 Wittes
  3. Basil B Hilaris
    43 Hilaris
  4. Brenda M. Shank
    45 Shank