Outcome of patients with locally advanced Non-small cell lung cancer treated with sequential chemotherapy and radiotherapy in Duhok/ Iraq

Abstract

Background and objectives: About one-third of non-small cell lung cancer patients present with locally advanced unresectable disease. The overall survival and progression-free survival evaluated of patients with stage IIIA and B non-small cell lung cancer treated with sequential chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of sequential chemotherapy and radiotherapy in advance non-operable non-small cell lung cancer. Methods: This retrospective study included 45 patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer diagnosed between May 2014 and May 2017 treated with sequential chemotherapy and radiotherapy. All patients were treated at Azadi Cancer Centre, Azadi Teaching Hospital, Duhok with at least 4 cycles of chemotherapy then sent to radiotherapy in other centre to complete their planned treatment protocol. Results: This study showed that squamous cell cancer was the most common histological subtype. The overall survival of patients treated with sequential chemotherapy and radiotherapy was 19.6 months (95% confidence interval 13.5–27.8, 95% confidence interval). The median progression-free survival time was 11.1 months (95% confidence interval; 8.6–13.7 months). Over all chemotherapy and radiotherapy tolerated well in most of the patients with mild adverse effect. Conclusions: Sequential chemotherapy and radiotherapy is a valid option of treatment in inoperable non-small cell lung cancer. This mainly helpful in area with limited resources for radiotherapy. These results provide hope and support of using sequential chemotherapy and radiotherapy in advanced stage lung cancer ineligible for surgery.