Irradiation for inoperable carcinoma of the lung and high performance status

Disagreement continues about the role of immediate irradiation of asymptomatic patients with inoperable lung cancer. Information pertaining specifically to irradiation of asymptomatic patients is scarce. The Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, reported that survival two years after irradiation was affected by control of the intrathoracic tumor. Ninety-two patients from that study with high performance status (80 to 100 on the Karofsky scale) were evaluated for long-term survival. Of 54 patients (59%) whose tumors were controlled locally by irradiation, 22% survived five years. None of the 38 patients with uncontrolled thoracic disease lived beyond 27 months. Eight patients are alive and well 53 to 100 months after treatment. No specific late complications of irradiation have been seen. Patients having few symptoms with inoperable bronchial carcinoma can live many years if the tumor is controlled by irradiation.