[Three Dimensional Conformal Radiotherapy Combined with Concurrent Chemotherapy for Stage III Non-small Cell Lung Cancer.].

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The outcome of treatment for stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) by radiotherapy plus concurrent chemotherapy is poor. This study was aimed to investigate the feasibility of three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) plus concurrent cisplatin-based chemotherapy on the patients with stage III non-small cell lung cancer. METHODS: 88 cases with stage III NSCLC from August 2004 to June 2007 were divided randomly into concurrent group and 3D-CRT alone group RESULTS: The overall response rate (CR+PR) in concurrent group and 3D-CRT alone group were 90.9% and 68.2% respectively (P<0.05). The 1, 2, 3-year overall survival rate in concurrent group and 3D-CRT alone group were 68.8%, 35.1%, 19.7% and 38.9%, 22.8%, 12.4% respectively. The median survival was 18.8 months, and 12.6 months, respectively, and the difference of the toxicity (except leukocytopenia) was not statistically significant in two groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: 3D-CRT combined with concurrent chemotherapy has better response and shorter treatment course than the 3DCRT alone, and increases the overall survival, so it is the best method for the treatment stage III NSCLC.