Chemotherapy Consisting of Epirubicin, Cisplatin, and Etoposide Followed by Irradiation in Stage III Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer and Chemotherapy Alone in Stage IV Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Abstract

Twenty-eight patients with stage III non-small cell lung cancer were treated with the sequential administration of combination chemotherapy consisting of epirubicin, cisplatin, and etoposide and of irradiation. The response rate was 57% including 15% complete responses. The median survival time was 11 months. Eighteen patients with stage IV disease received the same chemotherapy. The response rate was 55% including 11% complete responses, but the median survival time was only 5 months. It is concluded that this protocol is as active as the combination of doxorubicin, etoposide, and cisplatin, but probably less toxic.