PUB084 Long Term Survival of Stage IIIb Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) Patients Treated with Concurrent Chemoradiation

Abstract

The optimal treatment strategy for Stage IIIB NSCLC patients with a T4N0-1 tumor is a matter of debate. In prospective combined modality series including surgery, the median overall survival (OS) is approximately 24 months. We hypothesized that results comparable to regimens including surgery can be achieved with concurrent chemoradiation in this patient group. In our retrospectively collected database of NSCLC patients, all patients with T4 (mediastinal invasion) N0-1 NSCLC receiving concurrent chemoradiation were included. One patient had a recurrence after previous pneumonectomy. All patients were given 3 cycles of chemotherapy (cisplatin and etoposide). Radiotherapy (RT) was started at the 2nd course of chemotherapy. OS was calculated from date of diagnosis (Kaplan-Meier method). Toxicity was scored according to CTCAEv3.0. 42 patients (8 female, 34 male) with a median age of 62.5 ± 9 years (44-80 years) were included from January 2005 until December 2009. Stage distribution: 86% T4N0 (n=36), 14% T4N1 (n=6). The maximal tumor dose was 66 Gy using conventional fractionation. The median prescribed mean lung dose was 15 ± 4.4 Gy (5.03 -19.9 Gy). Acute toxicity: 1 patient experienced grade 3 dyspnea during RT. Grade 3 dysphagia occurred in 5 patients (12%) during RT requiring tube feeding in 3 of these patients (7%). Dysphagia persisted later than 1 month after RT in 1 patient (2%). Grade 3 dysphagia only occurred in patients treated concurrently. Grade 3 cough occurred in 1 patient during RT, no patient experienced grade 3 cough 1 month after RT. 2 patients died within 3 months after start of RT, one due to myocardial infarction, one of unknown causes. Severe late toxicity was not present: no grade 3 complications more than 3 months after the end of radiotherapy. With a median follow-up of 42 months, the median OS for the whole group is 34 months (95% CI 24-43 months). 2-year OS survival is 55%. Concurrent accelerated chemoradiation using an individualized dose prescription is a valid treatment strategy for stage IIIb, T4N0-1 NSCLC patients yielding very promising OS results with low toxicity.