加速超分割放射治疗食管癌的毒副作用及并发症

目的 研究加速超分割放射治疗食管癌的毒副作用及并发症。方法 １９９０年１２月～１９９２年７月对９６例经病理证实为食管癌的患者进行了前瞻性研究。随机分成常规治疗组（ＣＦ）和加速超分割治疗组（ＣＡＦ）。常规组：每次注射１．８～２．０Ｇｙ，总剂量为６０～７０Ｇｙ／３０～３５ｆｘ，共６～７ｗ。加速超分割组：每天２次，每次照射１．５Ｇｙ，总剂量为５４Ｇｙ／３．５ｗ，两组病人均用＾６０Ｃｏ－β射线外照射。结果     

后程加速超分割放射治疗食管癌的技术与结果

１９８８年４月至１９９０年４月对８５例食管鳞癌进行常规分割和后程加速超分割放疗随机前瞻研究。常规分割组４２例，每周￣６０Ｃｏ放射５次，每次１．８Ｇｙ，总疗程７．６周照射６８．４Ｇｙ。后程加速超分割组４３例，放射前程为常规分割，每次１．８Ｇｙ。４．６周照射２３次共４１．４Ｇｙ，然后缩野，每周照射５天，每天２次，每次１．５Ｇｙ，间隔４小时以上，１．８周照射１８次共２７Ｇｙ，总疗程６．４周，总剂量６８．４Ｇｙ。后程加速超分割放疗组１、２、３年食管局部病灶控制率和生存率分别为６９．０％，６１．９％，５９．５％和７２．１％，５５．８％，４１．９％。常规分割组分别为３９．０％，３１．７％，２９．３％和４７．６的，２６．２％，１９．０％。后程加速超分割放疗组的局部控制率和生存率明显高于常规分割放疗组。     

连续加速超切割与后程加速超分割治疗食管癌

目的 比较连续加速超分割（ＣＡＨＦ）和后程加速超分割（ＬＣＡＦ）放射治疗食管癌的疗效和毒性。方法 １０１例食管鳞癌患者前瞻性随机分成２个组。ＬＣＡＦ组（５２例）前２／３疗程为常规分割（５次／周,１．８Ｇｙ／次）,照射４１．４Ｇｙ后缩野改加速超分割（２次／ｄ,１．５Ｇｙ／次）照射２７Ｇｙ,总量６８．４Ｇｙ,４１次,４４～４６ｄ,ＣＡＨＦ组（４９例）从治疗开始,２次／ｄ,１．５Ｇｙ／次,照射至３９Ｇｙ     

加速超分割放射治疗鼻咽癌前瞻性研究的近期结果

目的：为了探讨加速超分割放射治疗鼻咽癌的临床效果和早、晚期放射反应。方法：１９９５年１月～１９９６年７月首次住院放疗的鼻咽癌患者２６６例。随机分为加速超分割（ＡＨＦ）和常规分次（ＣＦ）对照两组，均经ＣＴ或ＭＲＩ检查及Ｐｌａｔｏ治疗计划系统设计布野。对鼻咽部ＡＨＦ组方案为ＤＴ７９．２Ｇｙ／７２次／２４个治疗日，全程３２天，１．１Ｇｙ／次，每天３次，各次之间间隔＞６ｈ；对照组的方案是ＤＴ７０Ｇｙ／３５次７周，２Ｇｙ／次，每周５次。颈结（＋）给予治疗量，ＡＨＦ组７９．２Ｇｙ，对照组７０Ｇｙ；颈结（－）给予预防量，ＡＨＦ组５０Ｇｙ，对照组４５Ｇｙ。结果：ＡＨＦ组的疗终病灶全消和１年生存率优于对照组，差异有统计学意义。而急性放射反应，则明显重于对照组，皮肤粘膜Ⅲ度放射反应增多。差异非常显著。实验组有１０．７％患者需要短期中断疗程和支持治疗。结论：加速超分割放疗鼻咽癌的近期效果较好，疗终病灶全消率和１年生存率均优于常规分次组（Ｐ＜０．０１和０．０５）。虽然急性放射反应较重，但大多数患者可以耐受。     

98例食管癌加速超分割放疗的临床研究

目的：评价加速超分割放射治疗食管癌的疗效。方法：从１９９０年１０月至１９９２年５月我们对９８例经病理证实为食管鳞癌的患者进行了研究。随机分为常规组和加速超分割组。常规组：１８０～２００ｃＧｙ／次，５次／周，总量６０００～７０００ｃＧｙ／６～７周；加速超分割组：１５０ｃＧｙ／次，２次／日，间隔６小时以上，总量５４００ｃＧｙ／３．５周。两组患者均采用６０Ｃｏ远距离外照射。结果：常规组１，３，５年生存率分别为４６％（２３／５０）、２０％（１０／５０）、１２％（６／５０）；加速超分割组１，３，５年生存率分别为７０．８％（３４／４８）、３９．６％（１９／４８）、２９．２％（１４／４８），加速超分割组明显优于常规组（Ｐ＜０．０５），而两组放疗反应和并发症无明显差异。结论：我们的初步研究显示：加速超分割放疗能明显提高食管癌患者的生存率，但不增加放疗反应及并发症。     

食管癌超分割放疗剂量的临床研究

为探索食管癌超分割放疗适宜的剂量，１９８７年３～９月我们对８０例中段食管鳞癌患者随机分为３组进行对照研究：Ａ组总量为６０～７０Ｇｙ／６～７周，每天１次２Ｇｙ，每周５次；Ｂ组总量为５１Ｇｙ／２３天，每天２次，每；１．５Ｇｙ；Ｃ组总量为５０Ｇｙ／２３天，每天３次，每次１Ｇｙ。所有病人随诊超过５年，５年生存率Ａ、Ｂ、ＣＭ组分别为１１．１％、３７％和２３．１％。Ｂ组与Ａ组比较Ｐ＜０．０５。结果表明，总量为５１Ｇｙ的每天２次超分割放疗，具有疗程短、经济负担轻、生存率高等优点，治疗食管癌是可行的。     

逐步递量加速超分割照射加化疗非小细胞肺癌

目的 观察逐步递量加速超分割放射治疗（ＥＨＡＲＴ）Ⅲｂ期非小细胞肺癌（ＮＳＣＬＣ）的近期疗效和急性放射反应。方法 ７３例Ⅲｂ期ＮＳＣＬＣ进入ＥＨＡＲＴ组。放射治疗的第１,２周,１．２Ｇｙ２次／ｄ间隔６ｈ以上,第３,４,５周分别为１．３,１．４,１．５Ｇｙ２次／ｄ,均５天／周,照射野仅包括胸部ＣＴ或ＭＲＩ可见的原发灶和淋巴结转移以及周围１．０～１．５ｃｍ的正常组织。肿瘤灶总剂量６６Ｇｙ,５０次,５周     

逐步递量加速超分割放射治疗局部晚期鼻咽癌

目的：研究逐步递量加速超分割放射治疗（ＥＨＡＲＴ）局部晚期鼻咽癌的近期疗效和急性反应。方法：１９９９年４月－２０００年２月６４例Ｔ３－４Ｎ０Ｍ０、ＫＰＳ≥８０的鼻咽癌患者进入本研究,并随机分为常规分割放疗（ＣＦＲＴ）组和ＥＨＡＲＴ组,每组各３２例;ＣＦＲＴ组采用２Ｇｙ／次,５次／周的方法,鼻咽靶区中心总剂量６８－７６Ｇｙ,中位数７０Ｇｙ,３４－３８次,７－８周;上颈部剂量４６－５６Ｇｙ,２３－２８     

加速超分割放射治疗食管癌的临床初步观察

为了观察加速超分割放射治疗食管癌的耐受性和临床效果，作者自１９９２年１０月至１９９３年５月，将４０例胸段食管鳞癌病人随机分为加速超分割放射治疗组（２０例）和常规放射治疗组（２０例）。常规组１．８Ｇｙ／次，总量７０．２Ｇｙ，３９次，５５天。加速超分割组分为二个阶段：第一阶段１．１Ｇｙ／次，２次／日，间隔至少６小时，总剂量为３０．８Ｇｙ，２８次，２０天；第二阶段３次／日，１．１Ｇｙ／次，间隔４～６小时，总量３３Ｇｙ，３０次，１４天。两阶段总量６３．８Ｇｙ，５８次，３４天。近期疗效分析，加速超分割组ＣＲ５０％，常规组ＣＲ３０％。ＣＲ＋ＰＲ分别为９０％和９５％。预计治疗增益因子１．１３。急性反应主要为Ⅰｏ和Ⅱｏ食管炎，加速超分割组（１８／２０）发生率明显高于常规组（４／２０），但患者均能耐受。３年随访率为１００％，超分割组３年生存率４０％（８／２０），常规组２０％（４／２０），Ｐ＜０．０１，有非常显著性差异。初步结果显示加速超分割放射治疗食管癌，可望提高生存率，病人能耐受，作者认为此方案是可行的。     

后程加速超分割放射治疗食管癌的长期疗效

目的评价后程加速超分割放射治疗食管癌的长期疗效及放射反应和并发症。材料与方法１９８８年４月至１９９０年４月，８５例食管鳞癌随机分为２组：常规分割放射组４２例，每天１．８Ｇｙ，每周５次，总剂量６８．４Ｇｙ，总疗程７～８周；后期加速超分割放射组４３例，前２／３病程放射方法伺常规放射组，４～５周内照射４１．４Ｇｙ／２３次，然后缩野进行加速分割照射，每日２次，每次１．５Ｇｙ，间隔４～６小时，总疗程６．４周，总剂量６８．４Ｇｙ／４１次，所有病例均采用６０Ｃｏ远距离外照射，，结果５年实际生存率和原发肿瘤局控率，与常规分割组比较，后程加速超分割组明显提高，分别为３２．６％比１４．３％和５５．８％比２６．２％。复发中位时间，后程加速超分割组为８个月，明显长于常规分割组的４个月（ｐ＝０．０３），后程加速超分割组急性放射反应明显高于常规分割组，但患考能耐受，全部顺利完成疗程，后期放射损伤２组无显著差别。结论本组较少病例研究的初步结果显示食管癌后程加速超分别放射的疗效优于常规分割放射，患者能很好耐受后程加速超分割放射治疗方案。     

超分割放射治疗局部晚期非小细胞肺癌的临床研究

目的探讨超分割放疗在晚期非小细胞肺癌治疗中的作用。方法超分割组：１２Ｇｙ／次，每日２次，间隔至少６ｈ，Ｄｒ７２Ｇｙ／６ｗ。常规组：２Ｇｙ／次，每天１次，Ｄｒ６４Ｇｙ／６４ｗ共３２次。两组均５ｄ／ｗ。结果超分割组和常规组总有效率分别为６４０％（１８／２８）和５７１％（１６／２８），无显著性差异（Ｐ＞００５）。随访３年，超分割组和常规组的一年、二年和三年生存率及局部控制率分别为６７９％、３２１％、２１４％和６４３％、４２９％、２８６％；４６４％、１７９％、１０７％和４２９％、２５０％、１７９％；均有显著性差异（Ｐ＜００５）。两组放射性食管炎和肺炎的发生率分别为５３６％、７１％和３２１％、１７９％，无显著性差异（Ｐ＞００５）。结论超分割放射治疗局部晚期非小细胞肺癌，反应轻微，患者均可耐受；并有提高肿瘤局部控制率和改善长期生存率的作用，疗效优于单纯常规放疗。     

Chemotherapy and Late Course Three Dimensional Conformal Radiotherapy for Treatment of Patients with Stage Ⅲ Nonsmall Cell Lung Cancer

Objective: To compare the efficacy and complications of chemotherapy and late course three-dimensionalconformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) in treating patients with stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Patientsand Methods: All patients were divided into two groups: to receive chemotherapy and late course 3DCRT (3DCRTgroup), or chemotherapy and conventional fraction radiation (control group). In the 3DCRT-group, patients weregiven 6~15 MV X-rays with a total dose of 40 Gy, followed by 3DCRT, 2.5 Gy~3.0 Gy per fraction, 1 fraction/every day, total 68 Gy~70 Gy; in the control group, with conventional fraction radiation the total dose was 64~66Gy. The chemotherapy regimen in both cases was EP (VP-16 and DDP). Results: Sixty four patients with stageIII NSCLC were divided into two groups: 32 patients into 3DCRT, 32 into the control group. One and 2-yearsurvival rates in 3DCRT and control group were 87.5%, 56.3%mad 65.6%, 34.4%, respectively (P<0.05); localcontrol rates were 90.6%, 81.3% and 65.6%, 53.1%, respectively (P<0.05). Conclusion: Chemotherapy and latecourse 3DCRT is associated with improved survival rate in patients with stage III NSCLC with good tolerability.     

后程加速超分割放射治疗食管癌的研究

目的 :评价后程加速超分割放射治疗对食管癌的疗效。方法 :1996年 1月～ 1997年 12月 ,60例食管癌患者随机分为 2组 :常规分割放疗组 30例 ,每天 2Gy ,每周 5次 ,总剂量 64Gy ;后程加速超分割放疗组 30例 ,常规分割放疗 4 0Gy后改为每天 2次 ,每次 1.5Gy ,2次间隔 6h ,总剂量 64Gy。结果 :1、2、3年生存率及局控率后程加速超分割组明显高于常规分割组 ,分别为 83%、53%、4 6%及 4 6.6%、2 6.6%、2 0 % ;73%、56%、53%及 36.6%、30 %、2 6%。结论 :本研究结果显示后程加速超分割放疗疗效优于常规分割放疗。     

Cisplatin/etoposide chemotherapy combined with twice daily thoracic radiotherapy for limited small-cell lung cancer: a clinical phase II trial

PURPOSE: To fit the situation of developing countries, where supportive care is not sufficient, a modified combined therapy of cisplatin/etoposide (EP) and hyperfractionated accelerated radiation therapy (HART) was conducted as a Phase II trial for limited-stage small-cell lung cancer (LSCLC) to evaluate the feasibility, toxicity, and tolerance of the combined therapy and to observe its efficacy and patterns of failure. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Chemotherapy and radiation were sequentially administered in 1 to 3 cycles before and 3 to 5 cycles after HART. Chemotherapy contained cisplatin in doses of 25 to 30 mg/m(2) from Day 1 to Day 3 and etoposide in doses of 50 to 70 mg/m(2) from Day 1 to Day 3. The HART schedule consisted of radiation delivered in 1.4-Gy fractions, twice a day, at intervals longer than 6 h for 5 treatment days a week, to a total dose of 56 Gy in 40 fractions over 4 weeks. RESULTS: From June 1997 to December 2000, 57 eligible patients were registered for this trial. All were limited stage, and the median age was 60 years (range, 25 to 70 years). Of the 57 patients, 3 were withdrawn because of distant metastases (1 case), Grade (Gr) III thrombocytopenia (1 case), and financial problems (1 case). Fifty-four patients completed the planned combined treatment. A median of 6 cycles of chemotherapy (range, 5-8 cycles) was administered during a median interval of 4.9 weeks (range, 3.0-8.9 weeks), and a radiation dose of 56 Gy in 40 fractions was delivered over 29 days. The most common acute complication was radiation esophagitis, which occurred in 41 cases (72%), 4 with Gr III. Thirty-six patients (64%) had acute pulmonary toxicity, 2 with Gr III. The median survival time was 24 months (95% CI, 21-28 months). The 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year survival rates were 81% (95% CI, 70%-91%), 49% (95% CI, 36%-62%), and 21% (95% CI, 10%-32%), respectively. Of 57 patients, 13 had locoregional progression. Nine patients failed inside radiation fields and 4 patients failed outside. The 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year locoregional progression-free survival rates were 85% (95% CI, 75%-95%), 74% (95% CI, 61%-87%), and 68% (95% CI, 52%-84%), respectively. Forty-four patients suffered distant metastases, 66% of which were in brain. The 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year distant metastasis rates were 31% (95% CI, 19%-43%), 59% (95% CI, 46%-72%), and 79% (95% CI, 68%-91%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The study led to the following conclusions: (1) LSCLC patients tolerate HART at 56 Gy in 40 fractions over 4 weeks combined with 6 cycles of EP chemotherapy. (2) Both control of the tumor in the thorax and survival appear superior to conventional fractionated radiation but not as good as that in a study by Turrisi and colleagues. (3) This modified chemoradiation schedule could be recommended to LSCLC patients in developing countries. (4) The lessons learned from our study are (a) higher radiation doses may be needed for better locoregional control, and (b) prophylactic cranial irradiation is necessary for LSCLC patients who show complete response.     

Hyperfractionated radiation therapy for hypopharyngeal carcinoma compared with conventional radiation therapy: local control, laryngeal preservation and overall survival

BACKGROUND: Recent randomized trials have revealed the effectiveness of hyperfractionated radiation therapy for treating head and neck carcinomas, especially in their local control. Because the hypopharynx is located near the larynx, increasing local control of hypopharyngeal carcinomas achieves greater laryngeal preservation, which is very important for patients' quality of life. In consideration of this, our facility adopted hyperfractionated radiation therapy for hypopharyngeal carcinoma in 1996. In this study we compared the results of this therapy with those of conventional radiation therapy. METHODS: Forty-two patients with hypopharyngeal carcinoma whose tumors were inoperable or who refused surgery were treated with curative intended radiation therapy between April 1975 and January 2002 at Tokyo Metropolitan Komagome Hospital. Of these patients, 23 were treated with hyperfractionated radiation therapy (the HF group) and 19 were treated with conventional fractionated radiation therapy (the CF group). In the HF group, the numbers of patients at each clinical stage were as follows: stage I, 2; stage II, 5; stage III, 6; stage IV, 10. The fraction size was 1.2 Gy and the mean total dose was 73.4 Gy (range, 66-79.2 Gy). In the CF group, the corresponding numbers were as follows: stage I, 3; stage II, 1; stage III, 5; stage IV, 10. The fraction size was 1.8-2.0 Gy and the mean total dose was 65.4 Gy (range, 60-70 Gy). RESULTS: The 3-year local control rates for the HF group and the CF group were 61.5 and 18.4%, respectively (P = 0.016). The 3-year pharyngolaryngectomy-free survival rates for the HF group and the CF group were 64.7% and 5.3%, respectively (P = 0.0008). The 3-year overall survival rates for the HF group and the CF group were 69.3 and 31.6%, respectively (P = 0.075). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that hyperfractionated radiation therapy for hypopharyngeal carcinoma is promising with a better local control rate, a greater laryngeal preservation rate and a relatively better overall survival rate.     

食管癌后程加速超分割照射剂量学研究

目的探讨食管癌后程加速超分割照射剂量并观察两组的近期疗效、局部控制率、放疗耐受性及副反应，并随访其长期生存率。方法采用随机抽签法将100例食管癌随机均分为60Gy组和75Gy组。60Gy组前3周采用常规分割照射，第4周起改用超分割照射（1．5Gy／次，2次／d，2次间隔6h，10次／周），DT60Gy分35次，5周完成。75Gy组照射方法完全相同，前3周常规分割，第4周起改用超分割照射，DT75Gy，分45次，6周完成。结果两组近期疗效无差别，75Gy组无C级。1、3、5年局部控制率60Gy组分别为86％、42％、32％，75Gy组分别为88％、52％、48％；1、3、5年生存率60Gy组分别为86％、40％、28％，75Gy组分别为72％、34％、16％；两组比较均无差别。中位生存期60Gy组25个月，75Gy组19个月。75Gy组重度放射性食管炎明显高于60Gy组（28％：10％，P=0．022），但75Gy组与60Gy组死亡原因无差别。结论食管癌后程加速超分割照射不宜追求高剂量，在照射野及照射技术不变的情况下增加剂量，副反应加大。在考虑增加照射剂量时应充分考虑肺及其他正常组织的量照体积及受照剂苗。     

High-dose 3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy with concomitant vinorelbine plus carboplatin in patients with non-small cell lung cancer: A feasibility study

The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of high-dose 3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) (70 Gy) with concomitant vinorelbine (NVB) plus carboplatin (CBP) chemotherapy in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Patients with advanced NSCLC were treated with 3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy in conventional fractionation: 2 Gy/fraction, 1 fraction/day, 5 fractions/week; total dose 70 Gy. The radiotherapy planning of every case had met the following conditions: the percentage of total lung volume receiving 20 Gy (V20) ≤30% and the percentage of total lung volume receiving 30 Gy (V30) ≤20%. Chemotherapy was commenced on the first day of radiotherapy: NVB 25 mg/m(2), day 1 and day 8, CBP at AUC of 5 mg/ml(-1).min(-1), day 8, repeated for 28 days, two concomitant cycles during radiotherapy, and not more than 4 cycles following radiotherapy. A total of 37 patients were recruited and each of them completed the entire radiation procedure. No Grade V toxicity was observed within the group. The hematological toxicity rates were: Grade III/IV neutropenia was observed in 18.9% (7/37) of cases, Grade III/IV thrombocytopenia in 8.1% (3/37) of cases, but no cases of Grade III/IV anemia were noted. For non-hematological toxicities the rates were: Grade III radiation pneumonitis, 8.1% (3/37) of cases; Grade III radiation esophagitis, 13.5% (5/37); but no cases of Grade IV/V non-hematological toxicities. High-dose 3DCRT also achieved a favorable efficacy: the complete response (CR) rate was 13.5% (5/37) and the partial response (PR) rate was 64.9% (24/37). The total response (CR+PR) rate was 78.4% (29/37). The median survival time was 12 months and the 1-year overall survival rate was 45.1%. Given that 35% of patients in the study had stage IV disease, the survival results were comparable with other similar studies. In conclusion, in our small-sample exploratory study, the high-dose regimen of 70 Gy using 3DCRT with concomitant NVB plus CBP was feasible for patients with NSCLC. Further evaluation of this regimen is ongoing in a prospective controlled phase II trial.     

三维适形放射治疗食管癌临床疗效分析

目的探讨三维适形放射治疗(3DCRT)食管癌的疗效及放射治疗反应。方法采用3DCRT方法治疗食管癌67例(3DCRT组,5～6Gy/次,隔日照射1次,共7～8次,总剂量40～42Gy,13～15d),与同期行常规放射治疗(CF组,2.0Gy/次,5次/周,64～68Gy,44～48d)的112例食管癌进行比较。结果CF组和3DCRT组的1、2、3、4年局部控制率分别为53.6%、43.8%、33.9%、25.9%和71.6%、62.7%、49.3%、43.3%(P=0.011)。CF组和3DCRT组的1、2、3、4年生存率分别为49.1%、41.1%、30.4%、22.3%和62.7%、52.2%、43.3%、38.8%(P=0.027)。3DCRT组放射性食管炎发生率较CF组高(P=0.003),血液系统及全身反应3DCRT组较CF组轻(P=0.007,0.021)。结论3DCRT能明显改善食管癌的局部控制率和生存率,近期放射反应及远期放射损伤均可耐受。     

Escalated hyperfractionated accelerated radiation therapy for locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer: a clinical phase II trial.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility, toxicity and the efficacy for locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with escalated hyperfractionated accelerated radiation therapy (EHART) combined with chemotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The EHART consisted of irradiation delivered twice per day with >6-h interval and five treatment days per week. In the first and second weeks, 1.2 Gy/fraction b.i.d, was given, and then 1. /fraction b.i.d in the third week; 1.4 Gy/fraction b.i.d in the fourth week; and 1. /fraction b.i.d in the fifth week, respectively. The total tumor dose delivered was 66 Gy/50 fractions/5 weeks. All patients received neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy. The chemotherapeutic regimen used was either MVP (mitomycin C, vindesine, cis-platinum), or EP (etoposide and cis-platinum). RESULTS: From February 1997 to February 1999, 73 eligible patients were registered. All were in stage IIIb with median age of 60 years (33-70). Of the 73 patients, 12 cases were withdrawn from the study due to Grade (Gr) III acute complications, distant metastases, or intercurrent diseases. Sixty-one patients completed the combined treatment as planned. A median of 4 cycles of chemotherapy (1-7) was administered and 66 Gy/50 fractions/36 days was delivered finally. The most common acute complication was radiation esophagitis, which occurred in 56 cases (77%), with Gr III in 11 cases (15%). Twenty-nine patients (40%) had acute pulmonary toxicity; with Gr III in 6 cases (8%). The median survival time was 13 months for the entire group. The 1-year and 2-year survival rates were 51 and 10%, respectively. Of the 61 patients who finished EHART, 34 were found to have locoregional progression. Thirty-two patients failed inside radiation fields, and 2 patients, outside radiation fields. The 1-year and 2-year locoregional progression-free rates were 71 and 34%, respectively. The 1-year and 2-year distant metastasis rates were 57 and 84%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: EHART combined with chemotherapy could be tolerated by most of the stage IIIb NSCLC patients with acceptable complications. Locoregional control was improved, but the long survival was not prolonged significantly predominantly due to distant metastases.     

Hyperfractionated accelerated radiotherapy (HART) for inoperable, nonmetastatic non-small cell lung carcinoma of the lung (NSCLC): results of a phase II study for patients ineligible for combination radiochemotherapy

Purpose: To evaluate a hyperfractionated and accelerated radiotherapy (HART) protocol in patients with inoperable non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) who were ineligible for combination radiochemotherapy studies.

Methods and Materials: From February 1989 through August 1994, 23 patients ineligible for available combined modality protocols in our institution were enrolled and treated with HART, consisting of 63 Gy given in 42 fractions of 1.5 Gy each, twice daily, with a minimum time interval of 6 h between fractions, 5 days a week, over an elapsed time of 4.2 weeks, or 29 days. There was no planned interruption.

Results: The 1-, 2-, and 3-year survival rates were 61%, 39%, and 19%, respectively, with a median survival of 16.8 months. At the time of analysis, 4 patients are alive and 19 have died, 16 from NSCLC and 3 from cardiac disease. Overall response rate was 48%, with 22% of patients achieving a complete response and 26% a partial response. Correlation between acute response rate and survival was poor. First site of relapse was local-regional in 8 patients (35%), distant in 6 patients (26%), and local-regional and distant in 4 (17%) patients. One patient had Grade IV and 2 had Grade III esophagitis. One patient presented with chronic Grade III lung toxicity. There were no treatment-related deaths.

Conclusion: In this group of 23 patients ineligible for radiochemotherapy, this HART regime was quite feasible and was followed by little toxicity. Results in this particularly poor prognosis NSCLC patient category should be compared to series with a similar patient profile; however, median survival is at least similar to that obtained in recent series of combination radiochemotherapy.