Late course accelerated hypofractionated three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy combined with NP concurrent chemotherapy for stage III non-small cell lung cancer

Objective To evaluate the curative effects and side reactions or toxicity of late course accelerated hypofractionated three dimensional conformal radiation therapy(3DCRT)combined with NP concurrent chemotherapy for stage Ⅲ non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC).Methods Sixty patients with stage Ⅲ NSCLC were randomized into 2 groups:late course accelerated hypofractionated 3DCRT group(group A,30patients)and conventional fractionated radiation therapy group(group B,30patients).In group A,30 patients received a dose of 40Gy at 2 Gy per fraction,5 times a week,which followed by late course accelerated hypofractionated 3DCRT with a dose of 24-30Gy at 4-5Gy per fraction,3 times a week.In group B,30 patients received a dose of 66Gy at 2 Gy per fraction,5 times a week.Chemotherapy,including vinorelbine and cisplatin,was given one cycle during radiotherapy and 3 cycles after radiotherapy for all patients.Results The overall response rate was 76.7% in group A and 46.7% in group B(P0.05).The 1-,2-,and 3-year survival rate was 83.3%,46.7%,36.6% in group A and 46.7%,20%,16.7% in group B respectively.Group A had a higher survival date than group B in 3-years survival rate(P0.05).The acute hematological toxicities,incidence of acute radiation pneumonitis and esophagitis were similar in the two groups.Conclusion Compared with conventional fractionated radiation therapy,late course accelerated hypofractionated 3DCRT may be preferred for patients with stage Ⅲ NSCLC with tolerable toxicities.