Long-term results of a prospective phase II trial of medically inoperable stage I NSCLC treated with SBRT - the Nordic experience

AbstractBackground. Presentation of long term results of a phase II multicenter Nordic trial of medically inoperable stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT).Material and methods. We report the extended outcome, focusing on long-term effects, of a prospective cohort of 57 evaluable patients with peripherally located T1N0M0 (72%) and T2N0M0 (28%) NSCLC, treated with SBRT 15 Gy × 3, prescribed to the 67% isodose line encompassing the PTV. The patients were inoperable due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (65%), cardiovascular disease (25%) or other illnesses (3%) or refused surgery (7%). Median Karnofsky score pre-treatment was 80% (70–100%). Late effects were defined as occurring > 36 months.Results. Thirty-eight patients (67%) were relapse free during their entire follow-up. Local control rate at four and five years were 79% (CI 95% 64–95%) and local relapses occurred at 10–76 months post-treatment. Seven local failures were noted, four occurring...