Patients with small cell lung cancer can now choose whether to undergo radiotherapy daily – or twice daily, according to the findings of a major European study.
The project, led by the University of Manchester, UK, compared the effects of having radiotherapy twice daily over three weeks – or daily for six and a half weeks.
The findings, showing both methods to be effective, were reported yesterday to the conference of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
Researchers tested the effects of the different approaches to radiotherapy for patients whose disease had not spread and who were also undergoing chemotherapy.
Some 550 patients took part in the study, undergoing radiotherapy either daily or twice daily.
Researchers found that 56% of those who had radiotherapy twice a day survived for two years compared with 51% of those who had it daily. Most side-effects were similar – but 74% of those who had intense radiotherapy suffered neutropenia compared with 65% of the others.
They say the trial showed the best dose of radiotherapy was 66 grays when given once a day or 45 grays when given twice daily.
The researchers say the trial also showed that patients had better survival than in previous studies – reflecting improved treatment techniques.
Researcher Professor Corinne Faivre-Finn said: “Before this study it was unclear whether having radiotherapy once or twice a day helped more patients survive for longer and what level of side effects was expected with modern radiotherapy techniques.
“We’re pleased to provide answers to these questions and our results have already begun to change practice around the world. Based on our findings, small cell lung cancer patients will be able to choose between a shorter course of radiotherapy given twice a day and a longer course given once a day.”
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