Multi-factor Retrospective Study in 91 Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients

Abstract

Background and objective Small cell lung cancer accounts for about 15%-25% of lung cancer, although the new chemotherapy drugs and radiation technology are continuously progressing, but the prognosis is still poor. To explore the prognostic factor of small cell lung cancer (SCLC), we study the correlation between effect, prognosis and TNM stage, various treatment mode. Methods We collected 91 Limited-disease-SCLC patients' data From 2006 to 2012. The data were reviewed retrospectively and restaged as I, II, IIIa and IIIb stage groups according to the clinical staging in the seventh edition of the tumor. We compare the progression-free survival (FPS) and overall survival (OS). Survival analysis was evaluated by Kaplan-Meier and multivariate analysis was performed by Cox proportional hazards model. Results In the whole group, patients achieved complete response and partial response, exhibited an RR of 93.4%. The median PFS was 14.25 months of which, 22.03 months in patients in stage I, 15.97 months in stage II, 11.99 months in stage IIIa and 10.5 months in stage IIIb (P<0.05). The median overall survival (OS) was 19.56 months of which, 33.38 months in patients in stage I, 22.07 months in stage II, 16.0 months in stage IIIa and 15.52 months in stage IIIb (P<0.05). Patients of stage IIIa and IIIb have longer survival time in earlier radiation groups then that of later radiation groups. Univariate analysis indicate stage of TNM, the pattern of radiation therapy and chemotherapy cycles before radiation therapy were significantly related to the survival in SCLC. Multivariate analysis showed that stage of TNM, ECOG (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group) performance status, pattern of radiation therapy and cycle numbers of chemotherapy before radiation were factors correlated with survival. Conclusion The stage of TNM may become beneficial prognostic factors in the treatment of LD-SCLC. The time of radiation therapy in stage IIIa and IIIb is of worth further investigation.

Keywords

• Lung neoplasms
• TNM stage
• Prognosis