Hyperfractionated radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy for inoperable non-small cell lung cancer

Eleven cases of inoperable non-small cell lung cancer were treated with hyperfractionated radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy. Hyperfractionated radiotherapy consisted of 1.6 Gy per fraction, 2 fractions a day with 6 hours between fractions, 5 days a week for a total of 60.8 Gy. After 38.4 Gy of irradiation to the primary tumor, hilar, and mediastinal lymph nodes, an additional 22.4 Gy was given to primary lesion. Chemotherapy consisted of cisplatin, 80 mg/m2 day 1, mitomycin C, 10 mg/m2 day 1, and vinblastine, 5 mg/m2, days 1 and 15. At least 2 courses were administered. The combination of radiotherapy and chemotherapy was sequential. Of 6 patients in whom hyperfractionated radiotherapy was performed first, 5 achieved partial response (PR). Of 5 patients in whom chemotherapy was performed first, 2 achieved PR. Median survival time was 300 days. Nine of the eleven patients experienced esophagitis, but in all patients this was controlled easily by oral antacids and/or H2 blockers. In regard to radiation pneumonitis, fibrosis occurred in seven of nine cases, but they did not require corticosteroids. Levels of hematological toxicity were similar to previous reports, but were somewhat severe in cases receiving chemotherapy after irradiation. We conclude that hyperfractionated radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy including cisplatin is safe, but further evaluation to determine optimal dose and combination methods is necessary. (author)