Clinical observation of patients with non-small-cell lung cancer treated by three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy

Objective To evaluate the effect of three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy(3DCRT) for patients with non-small-cell lung cancer.Methods From June 2001 to December 2004,46 patients with non-small-cell lung cancer were treated by 3DCRT.The short-term response and 1-year,2-year and 3-year survival rates,median survival time and toxicity in 3DCRT group were compared with those in 46 cases with non-small-cell lung cancer received conventional radiation therapy in the same period(control group).Results The efficacy rates in 3DCRT group and control group were 71.7% and 54.3%,and the complete remission rates were 21.7% and 8.7% respectively,showing a significant difference(P0.05).The 1-year,2-year and 3-year survival rates of the patients in 3DCRT group and control group were 78.3%、47.8% and 29.0%,58.7%、34.8% and 24.8% respectively.The median survival time in 3DCRT group and control group were 22 months and 16 months respectively.The difference of hematological toxicity and acute radiation pneumonitis,esophagitis between the two groups had no statistical significance.Conclusion 3DCRT produces better therapeutic effects than conventional radiotherapy in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer.