[Results of a sequential polychemotherapy (adriamycin, vincristine, cyclophosphamide, methotrexate) in small-cell and undifferentiated bronchial cancer].

40 patients suffering from inoperable bronchial cancer (25 anaplastic cancers, 15 undifferentiated cancers) were treated by a sequential association (Adriamycinee, Vincristine, Cyclophosphamide, Méthotrexate), repeated every 5 weeks. 28 patients already had metastatic cancer. A partial objective response (regression greater than 50%) was observed in 7 undifferentiated cancers and 14 anaplastic cancers. The treatment was interrupted 3 times for digestive and/or hematological toxicity; however, no deaths due to toxicity were reported. The mean survival is 8 months and 5 patients live for more than 18 months. The immediate effectiveness and mean survival place this protocol among polychemotherapies presently considered for this type of cancer. The number of evolutive recoveries observed during the maintenance stage settles the problem of the use of an efficient, slightly toxic and durable chemotherapy.