Influence of tumor volume on survival in patients irradiated for non-small-cell lung cancer.

Purpose: To investigate the importance of CT-defined total tumor volume (TTV) on overall survival (OS) in patients with unresectable or medically inoperable non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC).

Methods And Materials: Between 1991 and 1998, 150 evaluable patients with Stage I-IIIB NSCLC were treated with three-dimensionally planned conformal radiotherapy and curative intent at Duke University Medical Center. On the treatment-planning CT, the primary tumor and nodal volumes were identified and subsequently combined to form the TTV.