Combination chemotherapy in the treatment of inoperable non-small cell lung cancer

Background Chemotherapy is an established intervention in inoperable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), yet few Irish patients receive this treatment. Aim To determine survival, toxicity and radiological response following chemotherapy for NSCLC at our institution. Methods Retrospective audit of all patients receiving chemotherapy for histologically proven, inoperable NSCLC from January 1997 to December 2000. Results There were 80 treatment episodes in 77 patients, mean age 62 years. Forty-eight (60%) patients had locally advanced and 32 (40%) metastatic disease. Mitomycin, Ifosfamide, Carboplatin (MIC) and Paclitaxel/Carboplatin (PC) were the most commonly administered regimens. Median survival for locally advanced and metastatic disease was 13.9 months and 7.1 months respectively. Severe neutropenia and thrombocytopenia were each witnessed after less than 9% of cycles. Eleven (16.7%) patients had radiological response including 4 (6.1%) complete responses. Conclusion Survival for inoperable NSCLC treated with chemotherapy was encouraging and achieved at low toxicity.