Abstract
From 1980 to 1990 we treated 107 non-small-cell lung carcinomas (NSCLC) with radiotherapy alone. The study was done to evaluate the prognostic factors in an absolutely negative selected group of patients with regard to the International Union Against Cancer (UICC) classification published in 1987. Patients who had a prior response to neo-adjuvant chemotherapy were excluded from the analysis. Therefore, a negative selection of 98 males and 9 females were treated. All patients were classified retrospectively according to UICC 1987. Nine males and 7 females were stages I and II, respectively. In stage IIIa there were 41 patients, and in stage IIIb 42. A total of 18 patients were staged IV. Results: 5-year overall actuarial survival was approximately 1 %. As main prognostic factor we found the stage of disease. Two-year survival rates in stages I and II were 25 %, in stage IIIa 20 %, in stage IIIb 12 % and in stage IV 0%. The Karnowsky Index (KI) was an important second factor: Patients with a good KI (90–100 %) had a 2-year survival rate of 27 %, and patients with a KI of 70–80 % had a 6.5 % 2-year survival rate. Other prognostic factors were: (1) given total radiation dose, (2) actual response to radiation therapy and (3) normal white blood cell (WBC) count. Leukocytosis is a negative factor for prognosis. We conclude that the stage and, among other factors, the general condition (KI, WBC), are relevant for the prognosis of patients with NSCLC.
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Busch, M., Dohmen, T., Dühmke, E. et al. Prognostic factors in the treatment of non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). Eur. Radiol. 5, 312–317 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00185318
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00185318