THE ROLE OF CHEST IRRADIATION IN LIMITED SMALL CELL CARCINOMA OF THE LUNG TREATED WITH COMBINATION CHEMOTHERAPY

In 1985-1986 41 patients with limited small cell carcinoma were treated at the Istanbul University Oncology Institute. 18 were treated with polychemotherapy, 23 patients were given alternating chest irradiation with chemotherapy Multiple biomarker assays were performed. Elevated CA 19-9 and TPA significantly according to the disease extent. The median and one year over all survival in patients receiving thoracic irradiation was 32 weeks and % 26,compared to 22 weeks and % 16.6 for those not receiving thoracic irradiation. At 18 months, however the survival is similar in both groups.