Total Gross Tumor Volume Is an Independent Prognostic Factor in Patients Treated With Selective Nodal Irradiation for Stage I to III Small Cell Lung Cancer

Bart Reymen, Judith Van Loon, Angela van Baardwijk, Rinus Wanders, Jacques Borger, Anne-Marie C. Dingemans, Gerben Bootsma, Cordula Pitz, Ragnar Lunde, Wiel Geraedts, Philippe Lambin, Dirk De Ruysscher

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Abstract

Purpose: In non-small cell lung cancer, gross tumor volume (GTV) influences survival more than other risk factors. This could also apply to small cell lung cancer. Methods and Materials: Analysis of our prospective database with stage I to III SCLC patients referred for concurrent chemo radiation therapy. Standard treatment was 45 Gy in 1.5-Gy fractions twice daily concurrently with carboplatin-etoposide, followed by prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) in case of non-progression. Only fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography (PET)-positive or pathologically proven nodal sites were included in the target volume. Total GTV consisted of post chemotherapy tumor volume and pre chemotherapy nodal volume. Survival was calculated from diagnosis (Kaplan-Meier). Results: A total of 119 patients were included between May 2004 and June 2009. Median total GTV was 93 +/- 152 cc (7.5-895 cc). Isolated elective nodal failure occurred in 2 patients (1.7%). Median follow-up was 38 months, median overall survival 20 months (95% confidence interval = 17.8-22.1 months), and 2-year survival 38.4%. In multivariate analysis, only total GTV (P =. 026) and performance status (P = .016) significantly influenced survival. Conclusions: In this series of stage I to III small cell lung cancer patients treated with FDG-PET-based selective nodal irradiation total GTV is an independent risk factor for survival.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1319-1324
JournalInternational Journal of Radiation Oncology Biology Physics
Volume85
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Apr 2013

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