Preliminary results of three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer

Objective To evaluate the therapeutic effects and complications of three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).Methods Between March 1999 and September 2003,91 NSCLC patients treated with 3DCRT were reviewed at the Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. This patient cohort consisted of 73 men and 18 women. The median age was 66 years. Radiotherapy was delivered at 2?Gy fraction, 5 fractions per week. The median total dose was 60?Gy. Results With a median follow-up time of 17 months, the response rate after 3DCRT was 57.1%, with complete remission 11.0%(10/91) and partial remission 46.2%(42/91). The median survival time (MST) was 16 months, with 1-and 2-year overall survivals (OS) of 67.0% and 32.6%, 1-and 2-year local progression free survivals (LPFS) of 82.6% and 53.0%, respectively. The independent adverse prognostic factors by univariate analysis and multivariate analysis was weight loss ≥ 5%.Grade 2 acute radiation pneumonitis was observed in 2 patients and grade 3 in 4 patients . Late lung injury developed in 1 patient with grade 2, 1 patient with grade 3, respectively. Acute radiation esophagitis was observed in 8 patients with grade 2. Acute grade 2 hematologic toxicity developed in 5 patients . Conclusions 3DCRT was feasible in the treatment of NSCLC with good immediate tumor response and acceptable normal tissue complication. The total dose may potentially be increased.