[Results of palliative chemotherapy in advanced small cell bronchial carcinoma]

Results of chemotherapy for small cell bronchial carcinoma were analysed retrospectively on 36 of 40 consecutive patients with the disease, admitted to an oncology unit between January 1985 and December 1987. The survival curves indicated a highly significant trend (log-rank p = 0.001). Patients with extensive disease and Karnofsky index of 40-50% had a median survival of four months, but for those with Karnofsky index greater than 50% it was 15 months. There was virtually no age difference between the two groups, but there were significant differences regarding additional diseases (e.g. coronary heart disease, arteriosclerosis, etc.) frequency of liver and CNS metastases, rates of complete or partial remission, number of early deaths, haematological toxicity, and severe weight loss (greater than 5 kg). These results suggest that aggressive chemotherapy (primary designed for patients with limited disease) failed to improve the grave prognosis of patients with distant metastases and a low Karnofsky index (less than 50%). Supportive care should be intensified for these patients.