Curative radiotherapy for technically operable stage I nonsmall cell lung cancer

Retrospective study of patients with Stage I nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) unable to undergo surgery or refusing surgery.

Between 1984 and 1990, 47 patients with technically operable Stage I NSCLC received hypofractionated radiotherapy. The total dose varied from 32 Gy in six fractions (two fractions/week) or 40 Gy split course in ten fractions (low-dose schedules) to 48 Gy in 12 fractions or 56 Gy in 20 fractions (high-dose schedules). The mean age of the patients was 75 years. Three patients refused surgery and 44 patients were inoperable due to their medical condition. Severe associated disease was present in 34 patients (72.3%).

The intrathoracic recurrence rate was 25.5%. In a multivariate analysis, tumor size was identified as the only significant factor predictive for intrathoracic failure (p < 0.001). Disease-specific survival was 90, 53, and 32% at 1, 3, and 5 years, respectively. In Cox's proportional hazards analysis, only tumor size was predictive for disease-specific survival. Overall survival (all causes) was 70, 33, and 15% at 1, 3, and 5 years, respectively. In Cox's proportional hazards analysis, only the presence of severe associated disease was predictive for overall survival (p < 0.01), while tumor size did not attain statistical significance (p = 0.08). There were no severe acute or late side-effects.

Radiotherapy can effectively control small nonsmall cell tumors. The reported results are comparable to those achieved with more fractionated radiation schedules. In patients of age or in poor medical condition, hypofractionated radiotherapy can be given with curative intent, with minimal burden to the patient.