Results of a combined antineoplastic polychemotherapy and radiotherapy in small cell bronchial carcinoma and conclusions for the optimization of therapy

60 patients were treated by combined chemotherapy with 5-fluorourazil, vincristine and vinblastine, respectively, methotrexate and cyclophosphamide. After 1-2 initial cycles simultaneously to the chemotherapy telecobalt radiotherapy was performed. In patients with a limited disease 83% full remissions and 17% partial remissions were achieved. In those cases in which an extensive disease was present 19% full remissions and 65% partial remissions could be achieved. A tumor progression was observed in 16%. The mean survival time in complete remissions was 15.5 months and in partial remissions 10.8 months. 3 patients are to be estimated as long-term survivors. Thus, the results are not more unfavorable than in other therapy strategies. Despite the progress in the past these results of treatment cannot satisfy. Better results are possible by the application of cisplatin and etoposide, with, however, increasing side-effects. The strategy of treatment favored nowadays provides an aggressive induction polychemotherapy, followed by loco-regional radiotherapy 4 weeks later and chemotherapy afterwards. (author)