Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 20, 2026
Dynamic Lung Tumor Tracking for Stereotactic Ablative Body Radiation Therapy
Published on: June 7, 2015
Image-guided hypofractionated small volume radiotherapy of non-small cell lung cancer - feasibility and clinical
Stefan Janssen1, Nicolas J Dickgreber, Carolin Koenig
1Department of Radiation Oncology, Medical School Hannover, Germany.
Purpose:
Local hypofractionated stereotactic radiation treatment (hfSRT) of early stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) represents a highly effective treatment alternative in medically inoperable patients.
Method:
Between June 2007 and December 2010, 65 patients with NSCLC were treated with image-guided hypofractionated radiotherapy. The Union Internationale Contre le Cancer (UICC) stage distribution was: IA, n = 19; IB, n = 15; IIB, n = 5; IIIA, n = 10; IIIB, n = 6; and IV, n = 10. The fractionation schedule used was 3 × 12.5 Gy (n = 36) prescribed to the encompassing 67% isodose line for peripheral primary tumours, and 8 × 6 Gy (n = 26) or 8 × 5 Gy (n = 3) prescribed to the encompassing 80% isodose line for centrally located tumours.
Results:
Mean follow-up was 13.8 months (range 1-41 months). Until now 6 patients developed a local recurrence, 2 of them in combination with mediastinal lymph node failure. The 1-year actuarial local control rate was 93% and overall survival 79%. Pneumonitis was seen in 14 patients (21.5%) (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) grade I: n = 12, and II: n = 2) after a median time period of 9.5 months. No patient developed pneumonitis of CTCAE grade III or higher.
Conclusion:
Image-guided hfSRT is effective and feasible in patients with non-operable NSCLC, even in higher stages, whenever local control is crucial and there are contraindications against systemic therapy.
