Work

Analysis of long-term outcomes and exceptional responders after non-curative thoracic (chemo)radiotherapy for stage II/III non-small cell lung cancer

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Background: This retrospective study analysed long-term survival and exceptional responses, defined as 3-year survival with in-field control, after palliative radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy in patients with stage II/III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Predictive factors for exceptional responses were evaluated. Materials and methods: Different baseline and treatment parameters, including but not limited to age, stage, target volume size, histology and concomitant therapy, were assessed. Outcomes were abstracted from electronic health records. Univariate and multinomial logistic regression analyses were performed. Results: The study included 93 patients, 13 of whom achieved exceptional responses (14%). Although median survival was limited to 11.7 months, 15% of patients survived beyond 5 years. Common characteristics of exceptional responders included out-patient status, no previous hospitalisation in the preceding month, normal serum C-reactive protein (CRP), not on steroid medication, no major weight loss, treated with concomitant chemoradiotherapy and higher radiation dose, e.g. 15 fractions of 2.8 Gy. Further analysis suggested a greater impact of concomitant chemoradiotherapy (p = 0.04) than stable weight (p = 0.06), out-patient status at the start of radiotherapy and other variables (p = 0.1 or higher). Conclusions: Chemoradiotherapy with a lower total radiation dose than that traditionally defined as radical or curative may lead to favourable disease control in a subgroup of patients. In addition to concomitant treatment, stable pre-treatment weight was associated with exceptional response.

Source: Reports of Practical Oncology & Radiotherapy

DOI: 10.5603/rpor.113086

Authors: Carsten Nieder, Siv Gyda Aanes, Luka Stanisavljevic, Bård Mannsåker

Institutions: Nordland Hospital Trust, Nordland Hospital, UiT The Arctic University of Norway

Language: English

Topic: Lung Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment

Subfield: Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,713