Induction concurrent chemoiradiotherapy using paclitaxel and carboplatin combination followed by surgery in locoregionally advanced non-small cell lung cancer - Asian experience

Introduction: It has been established that combined chemoradiotherapy treatment benefits selected patients with stage III Non Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC). However, locoregional recurrence still poses a problem. The addition of surgery as the third modality may provide a possible solution. We report our experience of using the triple-in odality approach in this group of patients. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective review of 33 patients with stage III NSCLC treated between 1997 and 2005. Patients have good performance status and no significant weight loss. There were 26 males (79%) with median age of 63 years (range, 43 to 74) and median follow-up of 49 months. Seventy-six percent had Stage IRA disease. Chemotherapy consisted of paclitaxel at 175 mg/m(2)over 3 hours followed by carboplatin at A UC of 5 over I hour. Thoracic radiotherapy was given concurrently with the second and third cycles of chemotherapy. All patients received 50 Gray in 25 fractions over 5 weeks. Results: The main toxicities were grade 3/4 neutropenia (30%), grade 3 infection (15 %) and grade 3 oesophagitis (9%). Twenty-rive patients (76%) underwent surgery. Of the 8 who did not undergo surgery, I was deemed medically unfit after induction chemoradiotherapy and 4 had progressive disease; 3 declined surgery. Nineteen patients (58 %) bad lobectomy and 6 had pneumonectomy. The median overall survival was 29.9 months and 12 patients are still in remission. Conclusion: The use of the triple-modality approach is feasible, with an acceptable tolerability and resectability rate in this group of patients.