Abstract

The role of chemotherapy in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has been a matter of concern for many years. This study aims to compare cisplatin-etoposide combined treatment modality with supportive tre - atment in view to their impact on survival.

Between 1994-1997, 49 patients, who were diagnosed as having stage IV non-small cell lung cancer in our cli - nic, were included in the study. Following all necessary clinical staging procedures, 22 cases received chemothe - rapy (Group C), while remaining 27 cases were treated symptomatically (Group S). Chemotherapy protocol inc - luded intravenously administered cisplatin with a dose of 80 mg/m 2 /day on day one and etoposide with a dose of 100 mg/m 2 /day starting on day one for three days with three-week intervals for a maximum of six cycles. “Kap - lan-Meier Product-Limit” method was utilized for survival analysis.

In 22 cases of Group C, median survival was 8.8 months and one year survival rate was 32%. In 27 cases of Group S median survival was 3 months and one year survival rate was 4%. Median survival for Group C was significantly better (8.8 months) than that of Group S (3 months) (p <0.0002). Partial and complete response rates were 41% and 5% respectively, with a total response rate of 45%. Chemot - herapy related side effects were encountered in half of the cases.

In conclusion; chemotherapy with cisplatin-etoposide is an effective treatment method in the management of me - tastatic non-small cell lung cancer.