If this is not your name, click here.
| | If this is not your name, click here. | | |
| | Contact Us | Order Now | Journals | Bookstore | Register a colleague | | |
| |  ICACT: Hypofractionated Radiation Holds Promise in Early Lung Cancer By Paula Moyer PARIS, FRANCE -- February 17, 2004 -- A hypofractionated radiation technique has the potential to treat early lung cancer with conventional multi-portal technology, according to researchers. Their study showed that the conventional modality is safe and effective for the management of local non-small cell lung cancer, principal investigator Keishiro Suzuki, MD, reported here February 12th at the 15th International Congress on Anti-Cancer Treatment. Dr. Suzuki, a radiation oncologist at Obihiro Kosei Hospital in Obihiro, Japan, noted that prior research had shown strong clinical results with stereotactic radiotherapy, but that the stereotactic modality is technologically challenging since it requires a body fixation device and a gating system that is controlled by respiratory motions. Therefore, the investigators wanted to know if the conventional modality were feasible. Therefore, they recruited 14 patients with early stage lung cancer, with tumours T1 and T2 in grade. Their average age was 78.1 years old and ranged from 66 to 87 years. Ten patients had inoperable disease and the remaining 4 refused surgical treatment. All underwent radiation treatment consisting of 48 to 52 Gy in 8 fractions over a 2-week period. The planning target volume (PTV) was covered within 80% of the isodose volume and used a conventional multi-portal technique that used 5 to 7 coaxial ports. The investigators performed computed tomography (CT) scans every 3 to 6 months after treatment in order to assess the treatment's efficacy and toxicity. The patients were followed for an average of 12 months, with the follow-up period ranging from 3 to 29 months. The investigative team documented complete regression of the tumour in 21.4% of the patients and more than 75% regression in 42.8%. Partial regression was observed in 21.4% of the patients. One patient had a local recurrence that was documented 27 months after treatment; the other 92.8% continued to experience local tumour control. The investigators documented distant metastases in 14.3%, 1 in the liver 22 months after treatment and the other in the brain 3 months post-radiation. Radiation fibrosis developed in 35.7% of the patients. It was localised and asymptomatic in 80% of these patients but diffuse and symptomatic in the remaining 20%, who required a course of corticosteroids. Dr. Suzuki and co-investigators reported that they observed no other treatment-related complications. These findings show that conventional hypofractionated therapy appears effective for early lung cancer, Dr. Suzuki said. However, he cautioned that a larger treatment volume could result in a higher rate of radiation fibrosis than is typically seen with the stereotactic modality.
[Study title: "Preliminary report on hypofractionated radiotherapy for early stage lung cancer using a conventional multi-portal technique." Abstract P47]
|
