Improvements in the Therapy of Small Cell Lung Cancer

Newswise — For patients with limited stage small cell lung cancer, receiving radiation therapy twice a day is more effective than receiving radiation therapy once a day, so long as there is no break during treatment, according to a new study published in the July 15, 2004, issue of the International Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Physics, the official journal of ASTRO, the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology.

The study compared more than 260 patients who were broken up into two categories " those who received radiation therapy twice a day versus those who received radiation therapy once a day. The radiation therapy was given at the same time as chemotherapy and followed by radiation therapy to the head to prevent the disease from spreading to the brain. Patients in the twice-a-day treatment group were given a split course of radiation therapy, with a two week break in the middle of the treatment course. Patients in the once-a-day group received radiation therapy every day, Monday through Friday, for 28 days.

Researchers found that there was only a negligible difference in survival rates between the two sets of patients. The five-year survival rate for those who received radiation therapy once a day was 21 percent compared to 22 percent for those who received radiation therapy twice a day. These outcomes are generally more favorable than previous studies. However, patients in the twice-a-day group were slightly more likely to suffer the side effect of esophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus) compared to the patients in the once-a-day group.

This trial is frequently compared to a study reported by Andrew T. Turrisi, M.D. (Intergroup Trial 0096) and offers complimentary information. In the Intergroup Trial, twice-a-day radiation therapy was also compared to once-a-day radiation therapy. However in Dr. Turrisi's study, patients in the twice-a-day group received their treatment without a two week break in the middle. Intergroup researchers found that patients in the twice-a-day group had a 5-year survival rate of 26 percent compared to 16 percent in the once-a-day group.

"The findings of these two randomized prospective studies for small cell lung cancer lead one to conclude that continuous-course, twice-a-day treatment is better than once-a-day radiation therapy, but split course twice-a-day therapy is not," said Steven E. Schild, M.D., lead author of the study and radiation oncologist at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Ariz.

For more information on radiation therapy for lung cancer, please visit http://www.astro.org/patient/treatment_information/ for a free brochure.

ASTRO is the largest radiation oncology society in the world, with more than 7,500 members who specialize in treating patients with radiation therapies. As a leading organization in radiation oncology, biology and physics, the Society is dedicated to the advancement of the practice of radiation oncology by promoting excellence in patient care, providing opportunities for educational and professional development, promoting research and disseminating research results and representing radiation oncology in a rapidly evolving socioeconomic healthcare environment.