Onkológia 4/2007

Optimal timing of chemotherapy and radiotherapy for stage III non-small cell lung cancer

Combined chemo-radiotherapy became a standard treatment for locally advanced nonresectable stage III non-small cell lung cancer in the 1990. however, the optimal timing of chemotherapy in relation to radiotherapy is still unclear. Concurrent chemo-radiotherapy emerged as a new standard therapy for patients in very good performance status eCOg/WhO 0-1 based on results of several phase 2 - 3 trials and metaanalysis. Data from recently published phase III trials showed that combinations of induction or consolidation chemotherapy with concurrent chemo-radiotherapy did not improve treatment results.

Keywords: non-small cell lung cancer, stage III, chemo-radiotherapy.