P2.05-049 Radical Treated NSCLC Radiotherapy Patients: A Prospective Study of Toxicities and Outcomes: Topic: Toxicities

Abstract

Radical radiotherapy is widely used in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) among patients ineligible for surgery. Although side effects of radical radiotherapy have been well documented in clinical studies there is little real world prospective data describing their course, severity and effect on patient experience following treatment. NSCLC patients from the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre (a specialized cancer care center serving a population of 2.4m), treated with radical radiotherapy between September 2014 to December 2015, were offered followed up by a specialist nurse led clinic. This consisted of a telephone consultation at 2 weeks and clinic attendance at 2 and 6 months. Patient and tumor demographics were collected. Side effects were recorded at each visit and graded using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE). Descriptive statistical analysis was performed using Stata 14.0. 92 consecutive patients attended the clinic, 50% were male and the median age was 70 (IQR 63.5-78) years. 48 patients had squamous carcinoma and all were performance status 0 – 2. The breakdown was 16% 23% and 56% for stage I, II and III respectively. A total of 62 (67%) of patients received 55Gy in 20 fractions. Overall one-year survival was 59.7% (95%CI 47.0-70.3%). Information from 75% was obtained by telephone at 2 weeks and in clinic at 8 weeks post treatment. At 6 months 54% attended for assessment. The most commonly reported side effects at week 2 were fatigue (90%), dyspnoea (70%), oesophagitis (70%), anorexia (26%) and cough (21%). At week 8 side effects were similar except that oesophagitis had decreased to 23% (p<0.001), and cough increased to 30% (p=0.07). All side-effects were graded 2 or less with the exception of one patient with grade 3 oesophagitis at week 8. This study confirmed a high level of patient engagement with a nurse led follow up protocol which was able to capture detailed information about frequency and severity of side effects following radical thoracic radiotherapy. This confirmed that the side effects patients experience were temporary and manageable.