Concurrent cisplatin and etoposide with radiotherapy in locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer

Twenty consecutive patients with newly diagnosed or locally recurrent non-small cell lung cancer limited to the chest were treated with concurrent radiotherapy and cisplatin plus etoposide. No patient had received prior chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Sixteen of 20 patients (80%) responded to the treatment. Median survival has not been reached but is greater than 13.5 months. Twelve patients have relapsed at a median of 10 months after starting therapy (range, 4-12 months), with only one initial relapse within the radiotherapy port. Hematologic toxicity was mild, with four of 52 wbc count nadirs less than 1000/mm3. Esophageal toxicity was also mild, with all patients maintaining oral intake throughout therapy. We conclude that simultaneous radiotherapy, cisplatin, and etoposide can be safely administered in locoregional non-small cell carcinoma of the lung. A prospective trial of this regimen versus radiotherapy alone is warranted.