Toxicity and efficacy of a hypofractionated (3 weekly fractions of 850c Gy) irradiation schedule for stage IIIb / IV non-small cell lung cancer elderly patients with low performance status and unfit for chemotherapy.

Purpose: To evaluate in an observational way the clinical impact of a hypofractionated irradiation schedule in patients with unresectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods: Forty elderly patients (24 men/16 women) diagnosed with unresectable stage IIIb/IV NSCLC unfit for chemotherapy, were treated with once-a-week hypofractionation schedule. All patients had a poor performance status. A dose of 255 Gy in 3 weekly fractions was prescribed while a 3D conformal technique (3D-CRT) was used for irradiation. The primary study endpoints were to assess the therapeutic impact of this schedule in terms of relapse free survival (RFS), overall survival (OS) survival and palliation of symptoms. The secondary endpoints were the evaluation of acute toxicity of the lung, esophagus and the skin. The intended followup was 3 years. The median age was 73.5 years (range 71-85).

Results: The median RFS was 12 months, while the median OS was 17 months. Symptoms relief was up to 20% for cough, 52.5% for haemoptysis, 40% for thoracic pain and 17.5% for dyspnoea. Acute lung toxicity in terms of radiation pneumonitis was recorded as 6/40 (15%) grade 1, 26/40 (65%) grade 2 and 8/40 (25%) grade 3. Additionally, grade 1 and 2 acute esophageal toxicity was recorded in 10/40 (25%) and 30/40 (75%) patients, respectively. Acute skin toxicity with grade 2 erythema was recorded in only 2/40 (5%) patients while most patients developed grade 1 skin erythema. Grade 3 late lung toxicity was recorded in 10/40 (25%) patients.

Conclusions: This study showed that the proposed scheme has a moderate radiation-induced lung toxicity rate and an acceptable therapeutic ratio. Taking into consideration its cost effectiveness, the proposed hypofractionated scheme is a good alternative to conventional fractionation.