American journal of clinical oncology
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Am. J. Clin. Oncol. · Apr 2003
ReviewPalliative thoracic radiotherapy for non-small-cell lung cancer: a systematic review.
Non-small-cell lung cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors worldwide. The majority of patients are not treatable with curative intent because of the extent of disease or patient comorbidity. Radiotherapy to the primary intrathoracic tumor is used with the aim of palliating troublesome local symptoms in approximately 25% of patients. ⋯ There is no strong evidence that better palliation is obtained with higher radiation doses but good evidence that toxicity is greater. There is evidence of a modest survival benefit with higher dose schedules in patients with good performance status. The majority of patients should receive short courses (one or two fractions) of hypofractionated radiotherapy, Selected patients with good performance status should be considered for higher dose regimens if the chance of modest improvement in survival and palliation is considered worth the additional inconvenience and toxicity.
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Am. J. Clin. Oncol. · Apr 2003
ReviewPalliative thoracic radiotherapy for non-small-cell lung cancer: a systematic review.
Non-small-cell lung cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors worldwide. The majority of patients are not treatable with curative intent because of the extent of disease or patient comorbidity. Radiotherapy to the primary intrathoracic tumor is used with the aim of palliating troublesome local symptoms in approximately 25% of patients. ⋯ There is no strong evidence that better palliation is obtained with higher radiation doses but good evidence that toxicity is greater. There is evidence of a modest survival benefit with higher dose schedules in patients with good performance status. The majority of patients should receive short courses (one or two fractions) of hypofractionated radiotherapy, Selected patients with good performance status should be considered for higher dose regimens if the chance of modest improvement in survival and palliation is considered worth the additional inconvenience and toxicity.