Refractory non-small-cell lung cancer responding to combination chemotherapy with gemcitabine and cisplatin

The patient was a 60-year-old female with adenocarcinoma of the lung. An effective radiation therapy was performed for cervical lymph node metastases found 19 months after the operation. A right adrenal metastasis and abdominal paraaortic lymph node metastases were detected 11 months later, and chemotherapy with cisplatin (CDDP) was administered. Although a temporary partial response was obtained, the metastatic lesion was refractory to CDDP. The patient was treated with gemcitabine (GEM) and CDDP, which resulted in near complete response continued for 3 months. The combination therapy of GEM and CDDP may be effective for recurrent non-small-cell lung cancer refractory to other regimens.