Estimating the Probability of Not Completing the Intended Course of Thoracic Radiotherapy for Lung Cancer

Dirk Rades*, Esther Glatzel, Sabine Bohnet, Steven E. Schild, Elisa M. Werner

*Corresponding author for this work

Abstract

Background/Aim: In some patients with lung cancer scheduled for thoracic radiotherapy (RT), treatment is discontinued before reaching the planned dose. For optimal treatment personalization, a tool estimating whether a patient can complete radiotherapy would be helpful. Patients and Methods: Eleven pre-RT characteristics were analyzed in 170 patients receiving local RT for lung cancer. Characteristics included age, sex, tumor site, histology, tumor and nodal stage, distant metastasis, surgery, systemic treatment, pulmonary function, and smoking history. Results: Age >75 years (p=0.038), distant metastasis (p=0.009), and forced expiratory volume in 1 second <1.2 l (p=0.038) were significantly associated with discontinuation of RT. A prognostic instrument was developed in 126 patients with complete data regarding these characteristics. It included three groups (0, 1, and 2-3 points) with non-completion rates of 33.3%, 55.0% and 75.0% (p=0.004). Conclusion: This new instrument can help estimating the probability that lung cancer patients assigned to local RT cannot complete the planned course of RT.

Original languageEnglish
JournalAnticancer Research
Volume42
Issue number4
Pages (from-to)1973-1977
Number of pages5
ISSN0250-7005
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 04.2022

Funding

As part of the project NorDigHealth, this study was funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Interreg Deutschland-Danmark program.

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

  1. SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
    SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

Research Areas and Centers

  • Centers: University Cancer Center Schleswig-Holstein (UCCSH)
  • Research Area: Luebeck Integrated Oncology Network (LION)

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