Randomized trial of radiotherapy to the thorax in limited small-cell carcinoma of the lung treated with multiagent chemotherapy and elective brain irradiation: a preliminary report.

A total of 304 patients with limited small-cell carcinoma of the lung were treated with a combination of cyclophosphamide, Adriamycin (Adria Laboratories, Columbus, Ohio), and vincristine (CAV) and elective brain irradiation (3,600 rad TD in 14 fractions). The patients were randomized to either receive or not receive thoracic irradiation (4,000 rad TD, split course). Of the 304 patients, 291 were eligible for the study. Two hundred eighteen (75%) were completely evaluable. In each group, 81% of the patients had a Karnofsky index of 80% or higher and 14% had supraclavicular or scalene lymph nodes. Patients treated with CAV and no thoracic irradiation had a complete response (CR) of 48%, in contrast to 63% for those receiving chest irradiation (P = .05). In the first group, the complete and partial response rate was 70%; in the second, 80%. The median survival for the eligible patients treated with CAV and brain radiation therapy was 49 weeks; for those treated with the same regimen plus thoracic irradiatio...