Multimodality treatment program in invasive thymic epithelial tumor.

Little is known regarding malignant thymoma and thymic carcinoma optimal therapy, and a multimodality approach could therefore be proposed in an attempt to improve the survival of patients. We report our experience with 8 cases of malignant thymoma or thymic carcinoma. These patients took part in a multimodality treatment program including neoadjuvant chemotherapy, surgery, and postoperative radiotherapy in our center between December 1995 and June 2001.

Combination chemotherapy without cisplatin in the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

Cisplatin-based combinations are standard regimens in the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Survival improvement has been achieved using this therapy. However, the high toxicity induced by cisplatin-based doublets urges the research of alternate treatments.

Phase I-II study of high dose epirubicin plus cisplatin in unresectable non-small-cell lung cancer: searching for the maximal tolerated dose.

The purpose of this study was to search for the maximal tolerated dose of cisplatin in the cisplatin plus high-dose epirubicin combination for patients with non-small-cell lung cancer. The following range of cisplatin dosages were tested in a phase I study: 75, 90, 105, and 120 mg/m2 in combination with epirubicin 120 mg/m2 every 3 weeks. Eligibility consisted of previously untreated stage IIIb or IV non-small-cell lung cancers, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status less than or equal to 2, age less than or equal to 70 years, measurable disease, adequate blood counts, chemistry, cardiac function, and no brain metastasis.

Concomitant brain radiotherapy and vinorelbine-ifosfamide-cisplatin chemotherapy in brain metastases of non-small cell lung cancer.

Aim: To determine whether or not brain radiotherapy and concomitant three-drug chemotherapy is feasible and yields anti-tumour activity in patients with non-small cell lung cancer and brain metastases at time of presentation.

Patients And Methods: Twenty-three previously untreated patients suffering from non-small cell lung cancer and brain metastasis were prospectively included in this feasibility study. Most of the patients had neurological symptoms and an Eastern Collaborative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance index over 2.

Neoadjuvant etoposide, ifosfamide, and cisplatin followed by concomitant thoracic radiotherapy and continuous cisplatin infusion in stage IIIb non-small cell lung cancer.

Objective: To determine the applicability and safety of an ifosfamide, cisplatin, and etoposide (VIP) regimen as a neoadjuvant chemotherapy to a concomitant thoracic radiotherapy and cisplatin continuous infusion in locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Patients And Methods: Forty-four patients (stage IIIb in 43 and stage IIIa in 1) entered a study of VIP, followed by concomitant thoracic radiotherapy and cisplatin continuous infusion. Chemotherapy consisted of three courses of cisplatin 25 mg/m2, ifosfamide 1.

Concomitant brain radiotherapy and high-dose ifosfamide in brain relapses of lung cancer.

Patients And Methods: Twenty patients with lung cancer and brain metastasis were prospectively included in this feasibility study (four small-cell and 16 non-small-cell lung cancers). There were two previously untreated patients and 18 pretreated patients for whom brain metastases constituted the first relapse after a treatment-free interval following chemotherapy for the primary lung cancer. Most of the patients had neurological symptoms and an ECOG performance index over 2.