[Combined chemo- and radiotherapy in inoperable small-cell anaplastic bronchial carcinoma (author's transl)]

Combined treatment with adriamycin, cyclophosphamide and vincristine (ACO) was used in 50 out-patients with histologically verified small-cell bronchial carcinoma. In 26 patients with locally and regionally limited metastases ("limited disease") radiotherapy (3000 rad focal dose) to mediastinum, hili and tumour opacity as well as prophylactic cranial irradiation (3000 rad focal dose) were performed after 3 cycles of chemotherapy. Complete clinical remission (without endoscopic control) was achieved in 32 out of 50 patients. Remissions in patients with bilateral pulmonary or extrathoracic metastases ("extensive disease", n = 24, 12 complete remissions) only led to limited asymptomatic prolongations of life (median survival time 10 months, median remission period 5 months) despite maintenance therapy. On the other hand patients with "limited disease" had considerable life prolongation (median survival 21 months, historical control value 3--4 months). Seven out of 26 patients in this group survived for 30 months after the onset of the disease, 6 out of 26 are now in their third year after starting therapy without signs of tumour recurrence. The results show that early recognition of patients with local and regional metastases has considerable prognostic value.