TREATMENT OF SMALL-CELL LUNG-CANCER - THE COPENHAGEN EXPERIENCE

The present article is a review of recent treatment protocols for patients with small cell lung cancer (SCCL) treated in Copenhagen from 1985 to 1990. Furthermore, preliminary data on long-term survivors (> 5 years) from 9 treatment protocols since 1973 are reviewed. For 484 patients less than or equal to 70 years old, no survival difference was observed between 2 platinum (cis-platinum or carboplatin) containing regimens, while the survival was better in these two induction regimens compared to an alternating control arm. For patients > 70 years old, Etoposide (VP-16) and Teniposide (VM-26) were compared in a randomized fashion. Both drugs were highly active, and no significant difference in activity was observed: All together 1527 patients have been included in clinical trials in the Copenhagen Lung Cancer Study Group since 1973. The rates of 5 - and 10 - years survivors were 3,5% and 1.8% respectively. Long-term survival can be achieved in all stages Of SCCL.