In a nutshell
This study compared two treatments for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): surgery and a radiosurgery treatment known as SBRT (stereotactic body radiotherapy).
Some background
Currently, the standard treatment protocol for early-stage (has not spread beyond the lungs) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is surgery.
Should patients be unable to have surgery, or choose not to have it, SBRT (stereotactic body radiotherapy) can be considered as an alternative option. SBRT is a non-surgical method of treating lung cancer tumors with small blasts of radiation. It is not clear which treatment is most effective in elderly patients.
Methods & findings
This study included 1078 patients over the age of 67. 367 patients underwent SBRT and 711 underwent surgery for their stage 1 (cancer that has not spread beyond the lung) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
54.9% of surgery patients experienced a complication within 1 month of treatment, whereas only 7.9% of SBRT patients did. Two years after treatment, however, the number of complications was almost equal. Complications included pneumonia, wound complications, and problems with breathing.
Overall mortality (death from any cause) was lower at 3 months following SBRT (2.2%) compared to surgery (6.1%). By 24 months, overall mortality was higher following SBRT (40.1%) than surgery (22.3%).
In patients with long life expectancies, surgery led to decreased mortality rates compared to SBRT. For patients with low life expectancies, mortality rates did not differ.
The bottom line
The authors concluded that in elderly patients SBRT led to fewer toxicities and mortality in the short-term. The authors suggested that patients with a predicted better life expectancy may benefit more from surgery.
The fine print
This study did not assess factors important factors such as patient discomfort or quality of life.
What’s next?
Discuss your treatment options with your doctor to see if surgery/SBRT is more suitable for you.
Published By :
Cancer
Date :
Apr 06, 2015
