Radio-chemotherapy combinations in non operable localized non small cell lung carcinoma: updates and perspectives

Optimal treatment of non operable localized non small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) continues to evolve. Increasing overall survival must evolute through improving local tumoral control and eradication of probable occult metastasis. Historically, median survival varies between 7 and 10 months with a standard conventional fractionated radiotherapy (RT). Induction chemotherapy (CT) followed by RT has demonstrated its superiority over RT alone, modality which is widely utilised. Other studies revealed best results with decreasing metastatic relapses. Three independent meta-analysis confirmed benefit obtained with cisplatin based CT followed by RT that allowed to consider this association as a gold standard. Other authors demonstrated an improvement of local control and survival with concomitant RT-CT or hyperfractionated accelerated RT. Results of all of these new therapeutic modalities still poor. Implication of new CT drugs has conducted for an emergence of new studies finding to demonstrate more encouraging results. Randomized trials are conducted in this way.