Comparative Study of Hypofractionated Palliative Radiotherapy 17 Gy in 2 Fractions vs. 30 Gy in 10 Fractions in Lethal Locally Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

Abstract

<i>Background</i>: Lung cancer kills the most people worldwide. Most Bangladeshi patients had regionally advanced surgically inoperable Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC), a deadly disease. Radiotherapy to main tumor and regional lymphatics with chemotherapy is conventional treatment. <i>Objective</i>: This study was done to investigate the symptoms relief and treatment related toxicities in hypo fractionated 17 Gy in 2 fractions which is effectively comparable to 30 Gy in 10 fractions. <i>Methods</i>: A total 60 patients were divided equally into Arm A and Arm B with locally advanced stage IIIA, and stage IIIB NSCLC patients with the objective to compare palliation of symptoms and to assess the toxicity profile. This Quasi Experimental study was carried out from January 2018 to December 2018 in the department of Radiation oncology, National Institute of Cancer Research and Hospital. Cases of Arm A were treated with 17 Gy radiotherapy in 2 fractions and those of Arm B were treated with 30 Gy radiotherapy in 10 fractions. <i>Results</i>: The mean age was 49.3±8.8 and 52.2±8.1 years for the Arm- A and the Arm-B respectively. Most patients in both groups were males, 80% in group A and 90% in group B. Adenocarcinoma (Arm A-70%, Arm B- 66.7%) was the most common pathological subtype in both groups, followed by Squamous cell carcinoma (30%, 33.3% respectively). This study showed that there was a significant palliation of these symptoms following radiotherapy as reported by patients and as assessed clinically with no statistically significant difference between two Arms. Hemoptysis had the highest rate of improvement, 100% in both arms and improvement in chest pain by 83.3% in arm A and 70% in Arm B. Cough was improved in 83.3% and 67.7% and dyspnea was palliated in 80.0% and 70.0% of patients in Arm A and Arm B, respectively as per clinical assessment of the patients. The early toxicities in both arms had no significant difference. Patients with locally advanced inoperable NSCLC have poor prognosis and less survival. The first goal was acceptable symptoms control as cough, dyspnoea, haemoptysis and chest pain. <i>Conclusion</i>: The result of this study showed that a significant palliation of symptoms with minimum toxicities improving quality of life following radiotherapy as reported by patients also assessed clinically and radiographically with no statistically significant difference among both arms.