Chemotherapy in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients Receiving Oxygen Therapy.

BACKGROUND: Information regarding chemotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with chronic respiratory failure is limited.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed patients who received oxygen therapy and underwent chemotherapy for NSCLC at our hospital.

RESULTS: 6 patients with NSCLC receiving oxygen therapy (4 with unresectable lung cancer and 2 with postoperative recurrent lung cancer) underwent chemotherapy. 1 patient achieved a partial response and 1 achieved stable disease after first-line chemotherapy. The median overall survival (OS) was 247 days in all patients. Patients with unresectable NSCLC and recurrent NSCLC had median OS times of 282 and 239 days, respectively. Grade 3 lung infection occurred in 4 patients during chemotherapy treatment; however, there were no chemotherapy-related deaths.

CONCLUSION: There is a possibility that chemotherapy could improve the survival of NSCLC patients who receive oxygen therapy.