Comparative assessment of long-term results of chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced small cell lung cancer using accelerated and conventional radiotherapy

The aim of the study is to compare efficiency of nonconventional (hyperfractionated, accelerated radiotherapy with doze escalation) with traditional (conventional) radiotherapy. 157 patients with locally advanced small-cell lung cancer received chemoradiotherapy. All patients received 2 induction and 4 adjuvant cycles of platinum-based chemotherapy (cisplatin/carboplatin plus etoposide). Group A (hyperfractionated, accelerated radiotherapy with doze escalation) - 75 patients received two daily fractions of 1,4 Gy with 5-6 hour-interval for 3 weeks, further two daily fractions of 1,6 Gy to a total dose of 60-64 Gy. Group B (conventional radiotherapy) - 82 patients: 2 Gy daily to a total dose of 60-64 Gy. Hyperfractionated accelerated radiotherapy with doze escalation is more effective than traditional radiotherapy with higher levels of toxicity in small cell lung cancer. Complete response of a tumor and hyperfractionated, accelerated radiotherapy with doze escalation are statistically significant prognostic factors, influencing on five-year overall survival rate.