Small cell carcinoma of the lung: a combined modality treatment

• Published in: European journal of cancer Vol. 15; no. 9; pp. 1159 - 1165
• Main Authors: Van Houtte, P., Tancini, G., De Jager, R., Lustman-Maréchal, J., Milani, F., Bonadonna, G., Kenis, Y.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.09.1979
• Subjects: Antineoplastic Agents - administration & dosage; Antineoplastic Agents - adverse effects; Bleomycin - administration & dosage; Bone Marrow - drug effects; Carcinoma, Small Cell - drug therapy; Carcinoma, Small Cell - radiotherapy; Clinical Trials as Topic; Cyclophosphamide - administration & dosage; Drug Therapy, Combination; Humans; Lomustine - administration & dosage; Lung Neoplasms - drug therapy; Lung Neoplasms - radiotherapy; Middle Aged; Radiotherapy, High-Energy; Remission, Spontaneous; Time Factors; Vincristine - administration & dosage
• ISSN: 0014-2964
• DOI: 10.1016/0014-2964(79)90132-4

Between 1973 and 1977, 84 patients with small cell anaplastic bronchogenic carcinoma underwent staging procedure including brain, liver and bone scan, bone marrow biopsy and peritoneoscopy. Fifty-eight patients with limited disease were treated with concomitant radiation therapy to the primary site and the combination of vincristine and cyclophosphamide (VCR-CPA). Two maintenance chemotherapy schedules were used: methyl CCNU, cyclophosphamide, vincristine and bleomycin (COMB) or VCR-CPA. The median survival was 11 months. No statistical difference could be observed in survival and relapse rates between these two treatments. Twenty-six patients with extensive disease were treated with methyl CCNU, cyclophosphamide, vincristine with or without bleomycin. Median survival was 7 months and the use of bleomycin did not improve the response rate.