Feasibility of Concomitant Chemoradiotherapy in Daily Practice for Patients with NSCLC Stage III.

BACKGROUND: In patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), approximately 25% have locally advanced disease. For patients with irresectable (N2-3 or T4) or inoperable disease, treatment consists of chemoradiotherapy. Concomitant chemoradiotherapy improves survival compared to sequential chemoradiotherapy in these patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Treatment plans and completion of treatment was evaluated for all patients treated at the St. Antonius Hospital from 2008-2011 for NSCLC stage IIIA/B not eligible for surgery.

RESULTS: Between 2008 and 2011, 180 patients with NSCLC stage III were treated at our hospital. A total of 152 patients were not eligible for surgery; in 78 (51%) patients, primary treatment was chemoradiotherapy; 31 (20%) were planned for concomitant treatment. The most frequent reasons for refraining from concomitant chemoradiotherapy were limitations of radiotherapy constraints and condition of the patients (87%).

CONCLUSION: Although concomitant chemoradiotherapy is the standard-of-care in patients with stage IIIA/B NSCLC ineligible for surgery, the majority (80%) of the patients were treated otherwise.