Dose escalation in non-small-cell lung cancer using three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy: update of a phase I trial.

PURPOSE: High-dose radiation may improve outcomes in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). By using three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy and limiting the target volume, we hypothesized that the dose could be safely escalated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A standard phase I design was used. Five bins were created based on the volume of normal lung irradiated, and dose levels within bins were chosen based on the estimated risk of radiation pneumonitis. Starting doses ranged from 63 to 84 Gy given in 2.1-Gy fractions. Target volumes included the primary tumor and any nodes >or= 1 cm on computed tomography. Clinically uninvolved nodal regions were not included purposely. More recently, selected patients received neoadjuvant cisplatin and vinorelbine. RESULTS: At the time of this writing, 104 patients had been enrolled. Twenty-four had stage I, four had stage II, 43 had stage IIIA, 26 had stage IIIB, and seven had locally recurrent disease. Twenty-five received chemotherapy, and 63 were assessable for escalation. All bins were escalated at least twice. Although grade 2 radiation pneumonitis occurred in five patients, grade 3 radiation pneumonitis occurred in only two. The maximum-tolerated dose was only established for the largest bin, at 65.1 Gy. Dose levels for the four remaining bins were 102.9, 102.9, 84 and 75.6 Gy. The majority of patients failed distantly, though a significant proportion also failed in the target volume. There were no isolated failures in clinically uninvolved nodal regions. CONCLUSION: Dose escalation in NSCLC has been accomplished safely in most patients using three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy, limiting target volumes, and segregating patients by the volume of normal lung irradiated.     

Radiation therapy for lung cancer

Radiation therapy is one of the most important modalities for the treatment of lung cancer. Current progress of radiation therapy in cooperation with the development of physics and biology is remarkable. The techniques of three-dimensional treatment planning and three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) have facilitated the use of higher radiation doses. Patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are candidates for curative surgical resection. However, the number of elderly patients has been increasing, and these patients often have medical contraindications that prevent curative surgery. Recently, several clinical trials on stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) using the 3D-CRT technique for solitary lung tumors have been reported. The local control rate for stage I disease is more than 90%, and survival rates are promising. Now a prospective multi-institutional trial is ongoing to determine whether this modality can become a standard treatment for inoperable patients or an alternative to lobetectomy. For locally advanced NSCLC, unfortunately, recent studies have demonstrated that conventional therapies may have reached a therapeutic plateau. Now several radiation dose escalation studies utilizing conventional fractionation and 3D-CRT techniques are ongoing. The strategies of almost all of these trials are to eliminate elective nodal irradiation and deliver a higher dose of radiation to gross tumor volume while sparing normal tissues. Preliminary experience has resulted in promising survival, but should be developed to integrate into the combined treatment to completely control both local disease and other microscopically involved lesions. The combination of novel chemotherapeutic agents and molecular targeting therapies with radiation therapy is being investigated. Development of molecular imaging techniques is expected to facilitate more selective dose escalation in tumors.     

吉西他滨与三维适形放疗同步治疗局部晚期非小细胞肺癌的临床观察

Objective:To evaluate lhe clinical effect of gemcitabine and concurrent three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy(3D-CRT)for locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC).Methods:From April 2002 to June 2005,38 patients with inoperable stage Ⅲ NSCLC were treated with gemcitabine and 3D-CRT simultaneously.Chemotherapy consisted of intravenously gemcitabine 350 mg/m2 on days 1,8,15,22,29,36.3D-CRT was delivered up to a total dose of 60-64 Gy with a 2.0 Gy dose fraction per day,5 days per week.Results:The overall response rates of primary tumor and mediastinum metastatic node were 86.8%(33/38)and 90.6%(29/32)respectively,and 91.7%(22/24)and 78.6%(11/14)for squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma respectively.The acute side effects of patients were mostly myelosuppression,nausea,vomiting,radiation-induced esophagitis and pneumonitis(RTOG Ⅰ/Ⅱ),however,all of them were cured.Conclusion:Concurrent application of gemcitabine and 3D-CRT can improve the overall response rate for locally advanced NSCLC without aggravating the side effects.     

Chimioradiothérapie concomitante pour le traitement des cancers bronchiques non à petites cellules, localisés au thorax, inopérables ou non résécables

Concomitant chemoradiation is the standard strategy for unresectable locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Its modalities used currently include three-dimensional conformal techniques, allowing dose escalation and sequential and concurrent combination with new generation cytotoxic agents. Phase III trials have not demonstrated any benefit from induction and consolidation chemotherapy in this setting. New techniques of radiation may also increase the efficacy and the feasibility of radiation. The integration of targeted therapies in the management of stage III NSCLC is also under investigation. This constant progress makes chemoradiation one of the most promising combined treatments in thoracic oncology.     

大分割适形放射治疗在非小细胞肺癌中的应用

大分割适形放疗技术较常规分割技术能给予肿瘤更高的生物有效剂量,近年来研究显示,对早期不能手术非小细胞肺癌（NSCLC）患者,大分割适形放疗高效低毒,是可选择的治疗方案。许多临床Ⅰ、Ⅱ期研究显示,局部晚期NSCLC患者对大分割适形放疗耐受性良好。放射物理学模型和相关临床研究显示,与常规分割放疗模式相比大分割适形放疗不会增加放射性肺炎发生率。     

三维适形放射治疗胰腺癌16例近期疗效

目的 探讨三维适形放射治疗胰腺癌的近期疗效.方法 采用直线加速器对16例胰腺癌进行三维适形放射治疗.根据肿瘤靶体积大小给予单次剂量3～4 Gy,照射10～15次,每日或隔日照射.总剂量30～52.5 Gy(平均41.4 Gy).结果 近期疗效完全缓解(CR)率为18.75%,部分缓解(PR)率为56.25%,无变化(NR)率为25%,总有效率(CR PR)75%.结论 三维适形放射治疗胰腺癌,可提高胰腺癌靶区剂量,较好地保护了周围正常组织及器官,对胰腺癌姑息治疗效果良好.     

非小细胞肺癌三维适形放疗剂量递增的临床研究

目的通过临床剂量递增获得非小细胞肺癌（NSCLC）三维适形放射治疗的最大耐受剂量并观察其疗效。方法对84例Ⅰ～Ⅲ期NSCLC采用三维适形放射治疗（3D-CRT）,不进行区域淋巴结预防性照射。在CTV照射患者60Gy（2Gy/次,1次/天,5天/周）后,开始对GTV进行剂量递增。2～4Gy/次,递增次数为3～11次。根据肺V20和将患者分为V20〈25%组和V2025%～36%组,两组患者再根据总剂量分剂量亚组,观察放射性损伤发生率和疗效。以≥15%的患者出现3级以上急性放射性肺损伤（RTOG）为限制剂量递增标准。结果全组84例。V20〈25%组45例,剂量亚组分别为70Gy、74Gy、78Gy、82Gy。3级放射性肺炎发生率为4.4%（2/45）。V2025%～36%组39例,剂量亚组分别为66Gy、70Gy、74Gy、78Gy。3级放射性肺炎发生率为5.1%（2/39）。全组中位生存时间14个月,1、2年总生存率分别为69.5%、52.8%,1、2年局部控制率分别为79.7%、53.6%。随着剂量增加,1、2年生存率和局部控制率有所增高,但统计学检验均无统计学差异（P〉0.05）。结论采用3DCRT治疗NSCLC时,提高局部放射剂量应考虑正常肺组织所受照射的剂量和体积。当V20〈25%时,可以安全地递增到82Gy,其放射性损伤可以接受;当V20为25%～36%时,可以递增到76Gy。但当V20〉30%时,增加到更高的放射剂量应谨慎,而提高局部剂量对生存率和局部控制率的意义仍有待进一步研究。     

Three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy for non-small-cell lung cancer: a phase I/II dose escalation clinical trial

PURPOSE: A prospective Phase I/II dose escalation study was conducted to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) in three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3D-CRT) for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: MTD would be reached via a dose escalation study. After 42 Gy/21 fractions, 4.2 weeks by conventional fractionated irradiation through anteroposterior/posteroanterior fields, the 3D-CRT technique was used as boost. The planned total dose escalation depended on lung volume irradiated. According to the percentage of lung volume receiving >20 Gy, the patients were divided into three subgroups (i.e., <25%, 25%-37%, and >37%). The scheduled dose escalation began with 69 Gy and continued to 78 Gy. The boost doses were delivered at 3 Gy per fraction, once per day, five fractions per week. Each dose level includes 5 patients. Besides radiotherapy, all patients received neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy with MVP regimen (Mitomycin, Vindesine, cis-platium). The criterion for stopping further dose escalation was > or =20% of patients with > or =RTOG Grade 3 radiation pneumonitis. RESULTS: Between June 1999 and February 2001, 50 patients had been enrolled in this study, including 4 with Stage II disease, 31 with Stage IIIa disease, and 15 with Stage IIIb disease. The dose escalation plan has been completed. All subgroups reached the highest predetermined dose levels (i.e., 78 Gy for the <25% subgroup, 78 Gy for the 25-37% subgroup, and 75 Gy for the >37% subgroup). Although none of the subgroups developed more than 20% of >/=Grade 3 acute pneumonitis, dose escalation was terminated because long-term follow-up was needed to observe late complications. Median follow-up time (MFT) for the entire group was 18 months (6-37 months). The most common acute complication was esophagitis in 56% of patients with RTOG Grade 1-2, and in 4% with Grade 3. Acute radiation pneumonitis developed in 36% of patients with RTOG Grade 1-2. Only 1 patient had Grade 3 pneumonitis, which was in the 25-37% subgroup at 75 Gy. The hematopoietic toxicity appeared in 58% of patients with Grade 1-2, and 8% with Grade 3. As to late complications, only 30% of patients developed pulmonary fibrosis of RTOG Grade 1-2. The median survival time for the entire group was 18 months. Two-year overall survival, locoregional progression-free rate, and distant metastasis rate were 44%, 40%, and 41%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Although MFT was 18 months, it had not yet been declared because a longer follow-up was needed to observe the late complications. The 2-year overall survival of 44% was very encouraging and implied that 3D-CRT combined with chemotherapy would improve the outcome for locally advanced NSCLC.     

局部晚期非小细胞肺癌放射治疗现状

局部晚期非小细胞肺癌患者占全部非小细胞肺癌的 4 0 %以上 ,其主要治疗方法为以放化疗为主的综合治疗。探寻更为合理有效的放射治疗策略是局部晚期非小细胞肺癌临床研究和治疗所关注的焦点 ,其中包括剂量分割模式的变更、照射剂量的递增、适形调强放疗、联合放化疗等各个方面。     

A potential to reduce pulmonary toxicity: the use of perfusion SPECT with IMRT for functional lung avoidance in radiotherapy of non-small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The study aimed to examine specific avoidance of functional lung (FL) defined by a single photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) lung perfusion scan, using intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3-DCRT) in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with NSCLC underwent planning computerized tomography (CT) and lung perfusion SPECT scan in the treatment position using fiducial markers to allow co-registration in the treatment planning system. Radiotherapy (RT) volumes were delineated on the CT scan. FL was defined using co-registered SPECT images. Two inverse coplanar RT plans were generated for each patient: 4-field 3-DCRT and 5-field step-and-shoot IMRT. 3-DCRT plans were created using automated AutoPlan optimisation software, and IMRT plans were generated employing Pinnacle(3) treatment planning system (Philips Radiation Oncology Systems). All plans were prescribed to 64 Gy in 32 fractions using data for the 6 MV beam from an Elekta linear accelerator. The objectives for both plans were to minimize the volume of FL irradiated to 20 Gy (fV(20)) and dose variation within the planning target volume (PTV). A spinal cord dose was constrained to 46 Gy. Volume of PTV receiving 90% of the prescribed dose (PTV(90)), fV(20), and functional mean lung dose (fMLD) were recorded. The PTV(90)/fV(20) ratio was used to account for variations in both measures, where a higher value represented a better plan. RESULTS: Thirty-four RT plans of 17 patients with stage I-IIIB NSCLC suitable for radical RT were analysed. In 6 patients with stage I-II disease there was no improvement in PTV(90), fV(20), PTV/fV(20) ratio and fMLD using IMRT compared to 3-DCRT. In 11 patients with stage IIIA-B disease, the PTV was equally well covered with IMRT and 3-DCRT plans, with IMRT producing better PTV(90)/fV(20) ratio (mean ratio - 7.2 vs. 5.3, respectively, p=0.001) and reduced fMLD figures compared to 3-DCRT (mean value - 11.5 vs. 14.3 Gy, p=0.001). This was due to reduction in fV(20) while maintaining PTV coverage. CONCLUSION: The use of IMRT compared to 3-DCRT improves the avoidance of FL defined by perfusion SPECT scan in selected patients with locally advanced NSCLC. If the dose to FL is shown to be the primary determinant of lung toxicity, IMRT would allow for effective dose escalation by specific avoidance of FL.     

三维适形放疗联合GP方案化疗治疗局部晚期胰腺癌的临床观察

目的 分析三维适形放疗(3-DCRT)联合GP方案化疗治疗局部晚期胰腺癌的临床疗效.方法 40例局部晚期胰腺癌随机分为2组,治疗组22例给予3-DCRT联合GP方案化疗,对照组18例仅给予3-DCRT,治疗结束后评价临床疗效和毒副反应.结果 治疗组和对照组中位生存期分别为15个月和7个月,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).治疗组6个月和12个月生存率分别为86.4％、68.2％,高于对照组的50.0％、33.3％,差异有统计学意义(P均＜0.05).主要毒副反应为胃肠道反应和骨髓抑制,但均较轻.结论 3-DCRT联合GP方案化疗治疗局部晚期胰腺癌安全有效.     

三维适形放射治疗局部晚期非小细胞肺癌的临床观察

目的评价放弃选择性区域淋巴结照射的低分割三维适形放射治疗局部晚期非小细胞肺癌的毒性和近期疗效.方法 45例经病理组织学和(或)细胞学确诊的局部晚期非小细胞肺癌患者接受三维适形放射治疗,分割剂量2.5～3 Gy/次,5次/周,放疗总量DT 63～72.5 Gy.靶区仅包括肿瘤原发灶和转移淋巴结,放疗前MVP或CAP方案化疗不超过两个周期.结果总有效率为84.5%.1,2年的局部控制率分别为48.9%和37.8%;1,2年生存率分别为65.4%和42.8%.中位生存期13.1个月.未出现Ⅲ级以上的放射性肺炎和放射性食管炎.7例(15.6%)患者在随访期间出现选择性淋巴结失败.结论三维适形放射治疗局部晚期非小细胞肺癌提高了局部控制率和近期疗效,减轻了放疗的毒副反应.放弃选择性区域淋巴结照射并没有明显增加区域淋巴结的复发率,是实现剂量提升的重要途径.     

The role of radiation therapy in thoracic tumors

Radiation plays an important role in the treatment of thoracic tumors. During the last 10 years there have been several major advances in thoracic RT including the incorporation of concurrent chemotherapy and the application of con-formal radiation-delivery techniques (eg, stereotactic RT, three-dimensional conformal RT, and intensity-modulated RT) that allow radiation dose escalation. Radiation as a local measure remains the definitive treatment of medically inoperable or surgically unresectable disease in NSCLC and part of a multimodality regimen for locally advanced NSCLC, limited stage SCLC, esophageal cancer, thymoma, and mesothelioma.     

局部晚期非小细胞肺癌VMAT初步疗效和不良反应分析

目的 评估VMAT用于局部晚期非小细胞肺癌(NSCLC)放疗近期疗效和不良反应。 方法 2016年间无法手术的局部晚期NSCLC患者共 58例接受同步放化疗或序贯放化疗,其中男 47例。放疗剂量为 38~66 Gy,53例(92%)患者放疗剂量≥56 Gy。放疗中位次数30次,单次剂量 1.8~3.0 Gy。28例(48%)患者接受同步化疗。 结果 中位随访时间9个月,1年总生存率84%,1年无进展生存48%。11例(19%)患者发生症状性放射性肺炎,其中1例患者因为放射性肺炎死亡。31例(53%)患者在放疗后半年内CT发现无症状性肺局部纤维化。17例(29%)患者出现2级食管炎,10例(17%)患者发生≥3级不良反应,其中9例为白细胞减少。 结论 采用VMAT行局部晚期NSCLC胸部放疗近期疗效理想,不良反应可接受,肺炎风险未见增加。     

Phase I/II study of weekly irinotecan and concurrent radiation therapy for locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer

A study was undertaken to determine the maximum tolerated dose, the dose-limiting toxicities, and the response rate of irinotecan administered weekly with concurrent thoracic radiation therapy in patients with locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer. In a phase I/II clinical trial, patients with histologically documented, surgically unresectable stage IIIA or IIIB non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) were enrolled. Irinotecan was administered as a 90 min intravenous infusion once weekly for 6 weeks. The starting dose was 30 mg m(-2) and dose escalation was done in 15 mg m(-2) increments. Dose-limiting toxicity was defined as grade 3 nonhaematologic toxicity (excluding nausea, vomiting and alopecia) or grade 4 haematologic toxicity according to the WHO criteria. Radiation was delivered to the primary tumour and regional lymph nodes (40 Gy), followed by a boost to the primary tumour (20 Gy). Twenty-seven patients were entered into this study at three irinotecan dose levels (30, 45 and 60 mg m(-2)). Twenty-six eligible patients were evaluated for toxic effects and clinical outcome. Severe oesophagitis, pneumonitis, and diarrhoea occurred at 45 and 60 mg m(-2). Three of the five patients given 60 mg m(-2) developed grade 3 or 4 oesophagitis and pneumonitis. In addition, one patient died of pneumonitis after completing therapy at 45 mg m(-2) in the phase II study. The objective response rate was 76.9% (95% CI, 53.0-88.9%). Oesophagitis, pneumonitis, and diarrhoea are the dose-limiting toxicities of weekly irinotecan combined with thoracic irradiation. The maximum tolerated dose and the dose for the phase II study were 60 and 45 mg m(-2) wk(-1), respectively. This combined therapy for locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer is promising and shows acceptable toxicity.     

62例局部晚期NSCLC三维适形放射治疗中放射性肺炎相关因素分析

目的：探讨接受三维适形放射治疗局部晚期非小细胞肺癌（non-small cell lung cancer,NSCLC）患者发生放射性肺炎的相关因素。方法：62例不能手术切除局部晚期NSCLC患者放疗前1周行肺功能检测,分析患者性别、年龄、临床分期、病理类型、病变部位、同步化疗、吸烟状况、合并慢性阻塞性肺病与否、肿瘤位置、肿瘤体积和剂量参数V10、V20、V30以及肺功能指标与放射性肺炎的关系。结果：62例患者中11例发生放射性肺炎,其中3例发生于放疗中,8例发生于放疗后1个月内。单因素分析有统计学差异的相关因素为肺功能状态、肿瘤体积、肺剂量体积参数（P=0.002,P=0.000,P=0.032）;经过Logistic回归模型多因素分析,放疗前合并重度慢性阻塞性肺病、病变位于肺下叶、肿瘤直径〉5cm以及V30〉25%为放射性肺损伤发生的显著相关因素（P=0.047,P=0.035,P=0.040和0.002）。结论：放射性肺损伤是多因素综合影响结果,对肺部有慢性疾病患者应优选治疗方案,且控制肺V30〈25%。     

A Phase I study of gemcitabine with concurrent radiotherapy in stage III, locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

PURPOSE: Our goal was to find the maximum tolerated dose of gemcitabine administered concurrently with thoracic radiotherapy in locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with stage III NSCLC and a radiation planning volume less than 2000 cm(3) were included. Treatment consisted of 6 weeks of thoracic radiation, 2 Gy daily for 5 days a week for a total dose of 60 Gy. Planning with multiple field arrangements and three-dimensional conformal technique was used. Patients were treated with gemcitabine, starting with a dose of 300 mg/m(2) in the 1st week of radiation. In subsequent cohorts, the weekly dosing frequency of gemcitabine was increased until weekly administration was reached. Thereafter, the doses of weekly gemcitabine were increased. Toxicity was measured using Common Toxicity of the National Cancer Institute (CTC), acute Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG), and late RTOG/European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) rating scales. RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients were included, of whom 14 had stage IIIa and 13 had stage IIIb. Dose-limiting toxicity was grade 3 esophagitis and grade 3 radiation pneumonitis in the patient cohort receiving gemcitabine 450 mg/m(2) once weekly. The mean actual treated radiation volume was 760 cm(3) (range, 289-1718 cm(3)). CONCLUSIONS: The maximum tolerated dose and frequency of gemcitabine in locally advanced NSCLC is 300 mg/m(2) once weekly during 6 weeks of thoracic radiotherapy, as long as the treatment volume does not exceed 2000 cm(3).     

First results of a phase I/II dose escalation trial in non-small cell lung cancer using three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility of dose escalation in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) using three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The main eligibility criteria of the trial were: pathologically proven inoperable NSCLC, ECOG performance status or=grade 3 (SWOG), grade 3 early and grade 2 late esophageal toxicity or any other (RTOG) grade 3 or 4 complications). RESULTS: Fifty-five patients were included. Tumor stage was I/II in 47%, IIIA in 33% and IIIB in 20%. The majority of the patients received a dose of 74.3 Gy (n=17) or 81.0 Gy (n=23). Radiation pneumonitis occurred in seven patients: four patients developed a grade 2, two patients grade 3 and one patient a grade 4. Esophageal toxicity was mild. In 50 patients tumor response at 3 months follow-up was evaluable. In six patients a complete response was recorded, in 38 a partial response, five patients had stable disease and one patient experienced progressive disease. Only one patient developed an isolated failure in an uninvolved nodal area. So far the radiation dose was safely escalated to 87.8 Gy in group 1 (lowest rMLD), 81.0 Gy in groups 2 and 3 and 74.3 Gy in group 4. CONCLUSION: Three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy enables significant dose escalation in NSCLC. The maximum tolerable dose has not yet been reached in any risk group.     

Effective avoidance of a functional spect-perfused lung using intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): An update of a planning study

IMRT and 3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3-DCRT) plans of 25 patients with non-small cell lung (NSCLC) were compared in terms of planning target volume (PTV) coverage and sparing of functional lung (FL) defined by a SPECT perfusion scan. IMRT resulted in significant reduction of functional V₂₀ and mean lung dose in stage III patients with inhomogeneous hypoperfusion. If the dose to FL is shown to be the determinant of lung toxicity, IMRT would allow for effective dose escalation by specific avoidance of functional lung.     

Current challenges of lung cancer care in an aging population

Local control for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains a significant problem with chemoradiation local failure rates in the chest of 30–50%. Despite attempts at dose escalation with conventional radiation therapy techniques, toxicities limit the amount of radiation that can be delivered. For stage I NSCLC, mounting evidence supports the use of hypofractionated radiation therapy (SBRT) to gain high local control rates with acceptable toxicity. For healthy patients with stage II/III NSCLC, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines suggest surgery is the preferred standard of care for patients with <N2 nodes or T3 tumors. In select patients who are surgical candidates or have more extensive disease, guidelines may include pre-operative chemoradiation followed by surgery, although this remains controversial and is the subject of a current national clinical trial (RTOG 0839). Dose escalation through conventional radiation therapy planning suggests that we can improve outcomes in stage III patients, but toxicity remains problematic. It follows that with improvements in imaging and delivery of radiotherapy, dose escalation with SBRT incorporation may improve local control in stage II/III NSCLC for medically inoperable patients. The rationale for dose escalation and some of the considerations for incorporation of SBRT dose escalation in stage III lung cancer are reviewed here.