Second Line Chemotherapy with Docetaxel in Advanced Non Small Lung Cancer: Retrospective Analysis of 33 Cases

Objective: In this study we aimed to investigate the cases with advanced non small lung cancer (NSCLC) who received docetaxel after platin based chemotherapy for response, toxicity, survival time and the factors effecting survival. Material and Method: The study comprised 33 patients (3 females and 30 males; mean age 55 +/- 9.16 years) who received at least 2 cures of secondline docetaxel (75mg/m(2), 21 days). ECOG performance status was 0-1 in 25 (75%) cases whereas 8 (25%) cases had performance status ECOG 2. Seven (21.2%) cases were stage IIIB, 26 (78.8%) cases were stage IV and the mean cure was 4 (2-12). Results: The objective response rate was 12.1% (4 cases), the mean time to progression was 7.14 +/- 6.22 months and the mean survival time was 10.34 +/- 1.56 months. After firstline chemoterapy time to progression longer than 3 months (p=0.035) and the performance status 0-1 (p=0.016) were determined as favorable factors for survival. Receiving paclitaxel in the first line treatment and age more than 65 years were not found effective on survival (p=0.88, p=0.84, respectively). Grade 3-4 neutropenia was found 18.8% (6 cases), febril neutropenia was 3% (1 case). Grade 3-4 anemia was 6% (2 cases), infection was 9% (3 cases). One case has died after the 3rd cure because of infection. Conclusion: Docetaxel was observed as a well tolerated single agent in the secondline chemotherapy and the survival results were found good despite of low response rate. High survival rates might be due to giving secondline chemotherapy to the choosen patients in our clinic.