Combination chemotherapy in oat cell carcinoma of the lung

Twenty-eight patients with oat cell carcinoma of the lung were treated with cyclophosphamide, vincristine, procarbazine, and prednisone with and without irradiation. Median survival was significantly increased in this treatment group (10 months) as compared to a retrospective radiation alone series (5 months). Intensive chemotherapy with this four-drug regimen represents an initial step in effective management of this disorder.