Late course accelerated hypofractionated three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy for stageIIInon-small cell lung cancer

Objective Objective To evaluate the efficacy and comphcations of late course acceler- ated hypofractionated three dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3DCRT) for patients with stageⅢnon small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods Sixty patients with stageⅢNSCLC were randomized into 2 groups: Late course accelerated hypofractionated 3DCRT group(group A—30 patients) and conventional fractionated radiation therapy group (group B—30 patients). In group A, 30 patients, at first, received a dose of 40 Gy at 2 Gy per fraction, 5 times a week, which followed by late course accelerated hypofractionat- ed 3DCRT with a dose of 16-20 Gy at 4 Gy per fraction, 3 times a week. In group B, 30 patients received a dose of 60-66 Gy 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 Group A had a higher complete response rate (47% vs 20%, P0.01), but not partial response rate than group B. Group A had a higher survival date than group B in 3-years survival curve ( X~2=4.20, P0.05). The incidence of acute radiation pneumonitis and esophagitis was similar in the two groups. Conclusions Com- pared with conventional fractionated radiation therapy, late course accelerated hypofractionated 3DCRT may be preferred for patients with stageⅢNSCLC with tolerable toxicities.