TNM Staging Impacts SCLC Treatment

S. Duru Birgi and her team conducted a study that aimed to evaluate treatment outcomes of intensity-modulated radiotherapy with concurrent chemotherapy and identify prognostic factors in limited-stage small-cell lung cancer.

The study retrospectively analyzed a cohort of 72 patients who underwent curative treatment from December 2011 to January 2023. Various clinical and biochemical parameters were investigated as potential prognostic factors.

The median age was 63 years, with 79% being male. Concomitant chemotherapy was administered to 83% of patients, while prophylactic cranial irradiation was used in 61%. 2- and 5-year overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), and local relapse-free survival (LRFS) rates were 50% and 25%, 38% and 24%, and 44% and 25%, respectively.

The univariate analysis indicated that older age, comorbid lung disease, advanced tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage, radiotherapy (RT) alone, and absence of prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) were adverse factors impacting OS. The advanced TNM stage emerged as a significant prognostic factor for LRFS and DFS, with a noticeable trend toward affecting OS.

The study concluded that the TNM staging system holds significance in cases categorized as limited-stage small-cell lung cancer, as it provides valuable prognostic insights.

The findings indicated that patients with advanced TNM stages tend to experience less favorable treatment outcomes, underscoring the necessity for personalized approaches in administering novel systemic therapies. No specific funding was received for the study.

Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38436189/

Duru Birgi S, Oz S, Babayigit Y, et al. (2024). “Long-term outcomes of intensity-modulated radiotherapy in limited-stage small-cell lung cancer classified according to AJCC 8th tumor node metastasis staging system.” Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2024 Feb;28(4):1562-1574. doi: 10.26355/eurrev_202402_35485.