EVALUATION OF INDUCTION CHEMOTHERAPY AND RADIOTHERAPY IN 43 PATIENTS WITH LIMITED STAGE SMALL CELL LUNG CARCINOMA

Between January 1990-May 1995 43 patients with limited stage small cell lung carcinoma under age of 70 (mean 54.5) and karnofsky performance status over 70, have been treated with 3 cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (cisplatinum 100 mg/m2 day 1 and etoposide 70 mg/m2 day 1-2-3) and radiotherapy (50 Gy with 2 Gy daily fractions). After radiotherapy at least 3 cycles chemotherapy was given to 30 patients (69.8%) whereas no chemotherapy was given to 13 (30.2%) due to performance status, haematological toxicity or patient refusal. Median survival of the group was 17 months and 1, 2 and 3 year survival was 76.5%, 49.6% and 18.6% respectively. Only weight loss affect disease free survival (p=0.07) whereas it has no impact on overall survival (p=0.585). There were no grade IV life threatening acute or late toxicity. The results assessed were in concordance with similar studies of induction chemotherapy and radiotherapy, however not as effective as concurrent chemotherapy.