Induction chemotherapy, concurrent chemoradiation and surgery for Pancoast tumour

Eur Respir J. 2007 Jan;29(1):117-26. doi: 10.1183/09031936.00108205. Epub 2006 Sep 13.

Abstract

The traditional treatment of Pancoast tumour with local approaches (surgery, radiotherapy or a combination of both) leads to a poor outcome due to the high rate of incomplete resection and the lack of systemic control. The aim of the present prospective feasibility study was to determine whether a trimodality approach improves local control and survival. Patients with stage IIB-IIIB Pancoast tumour received induction chemotherapy (three courses of split-dose cisplatin and etoposide or paclitaxel) followed by concurrent chemoradiotherapy (a course of cisplatin/etoposide combined with 45 Gy hyperfractionated accelerated radiotherapy). After restaging, eligible patients underwent surgery 4-6 weeks post-radiation. A total of 31 consecutive patients with T3 (81%) or T4 (19%) Pancoast tumour were enrolled in the study. Induction chemoradiotherapy was completed in all patients without treatment-related deaths. Grade 3-4 toxicity was observed in 32% of cases. In total, 29 (94%) patients were eligible for surgery. Complete resection was achieved in 94% of patients. The post-operative mortality rate was 6.4% and major complications arose in 20.6% of the patients. The median survival was 54 months with 2- and 5-yr survival rates of 74 and 46%, respectively. In conclusion, this intensive multimodality treatment of Pancoast tumour is feasible and improves local resectability rates and long-term survival as compared with historical series.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / mortality
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / therapy*
  • Cisplatin / administration & dosage*
  • Etoposide / administration & dosage*
  • Feasibility Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoadjuvant Therapy
  • Pancoast Syndrome / mortality
  • Pancoast Syndrome / therapy*
  • Pneumonectomy*
  • Prospective Studies
  • Radiotherapy, Adjuvant
  • Survival Rate

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Etoposide
  • Cisplatin