Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) for patients with lung tumor and severe pulmonary function impairment

To evaluate clinical outcomes after SABR in a cohort of early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) or pulmonary metastases in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients with forced expiratory volume in the first second predicted (FEV1) ≤ 50%.

Retrospective single-center study was performed to analyze clinical outcomes and toxicities in COPD patients with severe lung dysfunction treated with SABR from 1st June 2015 to 31st October 2022.

Thirty four patients (forty locations) were enrolled for analysis. Median follow-up was 2.9 years. Median age was 73.5 years (range, 65.6-80.1). FEV1 was 38% (range, 28.2-50.0) prior to radiotherapy. Median overall survival (OS) was 41.1 months (95% CI 38.9-not reached). OS rates at 2-, 3-, and 5- years were 79%, 71%, and 36%, respectively. Cancer-specific survival rates at 2-, 3-, and 5- years were 96%, 96%, and 68%, respectively. Local control rates at 2-, 3-, and 5- years were 88%, 83%, and 83%, respectively. No grade 4 or 5 toxicity was observed. The most common acute toxicity was pneumonitis (38.2%), of which only 1 patient (2.9%) reported grade 3 acute toxicity.

Lung SABR in patients with poor pulmonary function may be effective with acceptable toxicity.