Lalitha M. Janaki

The Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG) has conducted a phase II study to explore the efficacy and toxicity of initial, concurrent use of radiation therapy with cisplatin, etoposide (VP-16), and vincristine in limited-stage small-cell carcinoma of the lung. Two courses of cisplatin, VP-16, and vincristine chemotherapy were given with concurrent radiotherapy (XRT) to the primary tumor to a total dose of 4,500 cGy. Elective brain XRT was given to all patients concurrent with a third course of cisplatin/VP-16 therapy. Consolidation chemotherapy consisting of vincristine, methotrexate, and VP-16 alternating with Adriamycin (doxorubicin; Adria Laboratories, Columbus, OH) and cyclophosphamide, was given for 12 weeks following the initial induction chemotherapy/XRT program. Patients with a complete response had all therapy discontinued. Among 154 eligible patients treated, the complete response rate was 56%, with a partial response rate of 27%. The median survival is 17.5 months with an estimated 30% survival rate at 4 years from initiation of treatment. Combined modality toxicities were acceptable with the predominant toxicity being moderate to severe leukopenia and mild radiation esophagitis. The results of this treatment program appear superior to any previously reported by our group and compare favorably to those in the literature at large.

The Southwest Oncology Group conducted a pilot study in patients who had had total clinical resection of cancer of the colon and had a high risk of recurrence (Duke's C); the purpose of the study was to determine the toxic effects of intra-arterial chemotherapy combined with hepatic radiotherapy, in anticipation of their potential use in an adjuvant groupwide protocol. The treatment plan included intra-arterial chemotherapy with mitomycin (3 mg/m2) on Days 1, 4, 35, and 38 by slow intra-arterial push and 5-FU (1000 mg/m2) on Days 1-4 and 35-38 by continuous 96-hour infusion. Radiation therapy was begun on Day 8 of therapy and consisted of 1950 rads in 13 fractions over 2 1/2 weeks. Nineteen patients have been studied. Of 13 fully evaluable patients, two have relapsed in the liver. Eleven patients have developed significant, persistent liver enzyme elevations, and one patient has died from therapy-related liver failure. Combined radiotherapy and intra-arterial chemotherapy may result in significant chronic liver damage, and caution should be exercised in future adjuvant trials.

We describe a modification of a tracheostomy tube that allows treatment of carcinoma recurrence in the tracheal stoma using intracavitary radiation therapy.