Chemotherapy and cyclic radiation therapy in locally advanced non-small cell lung carcinoma

Nine patients with non-small cell lung carcinoma (4 squamous, 4 adenocarcinoma, 1 large cell) were treated with a combination of radiation therapy and cyclic chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil, methotrexate and platinum. Four previously untreated patients had stage III, 2 having distant metastases, 5 previously treated patients were restaged as stage III with distant metastasis in one. Moderate hematologic toxicity was noted. Objective responses occurred in 67 per cent, regardless of previous treatment or performance status. Responders survived for a median of 11 months with one complete response patients surviving at 14 months while 5 partial response patients survived for a median of 10 months. This regimen is feasible and its utility as the initial treatment of locally advanced disease should be further investigated.