Role of Salvage Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy in Post-surgical Loco-regional Recurrence in a Selected Population of Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Patients

AIM: This is a retrospective analysis of a selected series of high-risk non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with post-surgical loco-regional relapse treated with salvage stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT). Outcome and toxicity profiles were assessed. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-eight patients (unfit for surgery or systemic therapy) with 30 lesions underwent salvage SBRT as an alternative therapy because of advanced age, co-morbid conditions or no response obtained from other treatments. RESULTS: Complete and partial responses were 16% and 70%, respectively. Local progression was observed in 3 patients. Regional relapse occurred in 5 patients. Distant progression occurred in 10 patients. The 2-year overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were 57.5% and 36.6%, respectively. Radiation acute pneumonitis occurred as follows: three patients developed grade 1, two patients experienced grade 2 and one patient experienced grade 3 toxicity. CONCLUSION: Stereotactic body radiotherapy could have an alternative role in isolated loco-regional relapse in patients unfit or resistant to other therapies.