3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) for elderly patients with advanced stage of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) / 解放军医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate the clinical characteristics,efficacy and toxicity of three dimensional conformal radiotherapy(3D-CRT)for elderly patients suffering from advanced stage of non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC).Methods From September 1999 to October 2006,with the use of Leibinger planning system,the authors performed 3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy(3D-CRT)for 108 elderly patients suffering from advanced stage of non-small cell lung cancer who had not received operation because of medical contraindications such as cardiac insufficiency,impaired pulmonary function,etc.For the patients with positive lymph metastasis,the primary tumor was treated with high dosages.Conventional radiotherapy was delivered,and the tumor site and draining lymphatic areas received 40~45Gy of radiation,followed by 3D-CRT.Results All patients received whole course of radiotherapy,and the total survival rate for 1,2,3 years was 65%,33% and 28%,respectively.Meanwhile,the radioreaction did not exceed grade 2 in all 108 cases.Conclusions 3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy was relatively an effective treatment for non-small cell lung cancer in elderly patients who could not withstand operations because of medical contraindications or other problems.The treatment was proved to improve total survival rate and life quality,relieve complications such as radiation pneumonia and radiation esophagitis.Therefore,3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy was recommended for elderly patients with advanced stage of lnon-small cell lung cancer.