Sequential hemibody irradiation integrated into a chemotherapy—local radiotherapy program for limited disease small cell lung cancer

Twenty-four patients with limited disease small cell lung cancer (SCLC) were treated with sequential hemibody irradiation (SHB) integrated into a conventional chemotherapy—local radiotherapy (LRT) program. Among 23 evaluable patients, 12 (52%) attained a complete response (CR) and 8 (35%) attained a partial response for an overall major response rate of 87%. The median time since study entry is 29 months. Durations of response are 9.9 months for all patients and 16.5 months for patients who achieved a CR. The primary site was the predominant area of recurrence. The median survival is 13.2 months for all patients and 23.2 months for the 12 patients who attained a CR. Myelosuppression, especially thrombocytopenia, was the major toxicity. Acute radiation toxicities and subacute pneumonitis previously associated with hemibody radiotherapy were well controlled or prevented using the current dose, premedication, and shielding techniques. This integrated program of systemic therapies with SHB and combination chemotherapy plus LRT is feasible for limited disease SCLC; it may prolong survival in patients who attain a CR but compared to similar programs without hemibody irradiation, there was no improvement in overall response rate, response duration, or survival.