Outcome of conventional radiotherapy in small centrally located tumours or lymph nodes: minimal toxicity, remarkable survival but challenging loco-regional control

Abstract

Background In peripheral lung tumours, stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) is superior to conventional RT. SBRT has also shown high loco-regional control (LC) in centrally located tumours, but there is a high risk of severe toxicity. The STRICTSTARLung trial (NCT05354596) examines if risk-adapted SBRT for central tumours is feasible. In this study, we examined overall survival (OS), Disease-free survival (DSF), LC, and toxicity in patients with central tumours that could have been candidates for SBRT but received conventional RT. Material and methods Retrospectively, we evaluated 49 lung cancer patients that between 2008 and 2021 received RT (60–70Gy in 2 Gy fractions) for a solitary tumour or lymph node with a diameter <5cm located <2cm from the bronchial tree, oesophagus, aorta or heart. All tumours were pathologically verified; 30 were primary lung tumours (T1b-T4) and 19 were solitary lymph nodes (T0N1-N2). Chemotherapy was administered as concomitant (29) or sequential (4). OS and LC were analysed using Kaplan Meier. Cox proportional hazards model for OS and disease-free survival (DFS) was performed including tumour volume, histology, sex, T- vs N-site and chemotherapy. Toxicity was scored. Results In 42 patients, the tumour was located <1 cm to mediastinum. Median follow-up time was 44 months (range: 7–123). The median OS was 51 months. OS at 1-, 3- and 5-year was 88% (SE:5), 59% (SE:7) and 50% (SE:8). Loco-regional recurrences occurred in 16 patients resulting in 1-, and 3-year LC rates of 77% (SE:6) and 64% (SE:8). The majority occurred within 3 years after RT. Only stage showed significant impact on OS and DFS. No patients experienced grade 4–5 toxicity. Seven patients developed grade 3 toxicity (5 oesophageal stenosis, 2 pneumonitis). Conclusion Conventional RT for patients with small central lung tumours or solitary lymph nodes is feasible. Median OS was 51 months, and toxicity was low with no grade 4–5 events.