Cis-platin and radiotherapy in the treatment of unresectable lung cancer.

ABSTRACT

The goal of this pilot study was to verify the efficacy of the association of cisplatin plus radiotherapy in the treatment of lung cancer. Thirty-seven consecutive patients entered the study. They were treated with radiotherapy (four weekly doses of 2.5 Gy for a total of 50 Gy) and cis-platin once weekly (12 mg/m2). Partial remission was obtained in 15 patients, and 1 patient had a complete remission. Three patients previously inoperable underwent surgical treatment. The actuarial survival curve of the 29 evaluable patients showed a mean survival of 8.5 months. The mean survival of the latter is not evaluable because half of the patients are still alive after 12 to 30 months. No hematologic or renal toxicity was observed with the above schedule.