[Conditions suitable for chemotherapy of lung cancer]

The influence of several factors for response to Chemotherapy and survival was analysed in 310 patients with inoperable lung cancer who were treated by single or combination chemotherapy. In small cell lung cancer, survival was strongly affected by the results of induction chemotherapy, and combination chemotherapy with three or four drugs was most effective. In non-small cell lung cancer, performance status and body weight loss on admission were important factors for response to chemotherapy and survival. Combinations did not improve the response rate in non-small cell lung cancer.