Patients diagnosed with non-small cell or small cell lung cancer that has not metastasized have better overall survival outcomes when treated with hyperfractionated or accelerated radiation therapy (RT), according to a new meta-analysis.
The results of the analysis of 10 clinical trials involving 2,279 patients were presented at the European Lung Cancer Conference in Geneva by researchers from the Institut Gustave Roussy in Villejuif, France. Radiation oncologist Dr. Cecile Le Pechoux reported that in eight trials dealing with non-small cell lung cancer, modified fractionation of the radiotherapy treatments improved overall survival compared to conventional radiation therapy, resulting in an absolute benefit of 3% after five years.
Similar results were found with patients diagnosed with small cell lung cancer, but statistical differences with respect to survival could not be calculated due to the small sample size.
An estimated 1.1 million deaths per year worldwide are attributed to lung cancer, with non-small cell lung cancer representing more than 80% of all lung tumors.
The results could encourage further work to determine how best to deliver radiation therapy for lung cancer patients, Le Pechoux suggested, noting that interest in modified fractionation was uncertain before the meta-analysis was conducted.
Related Reading
Concomitant radiochemotherapy best for locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer, April 6, 2010
SBRT improves control in inoperable lung cancer patients, March 16, 2010
Surgery doesn't improve survival for stage III lung cancer patients, July 28, 2009
Concurrent/consolidated regime provides best survival for stage III lung cancer, October 5, 2005
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![Examples of ultrasound findings and techniques. (A) Images in a 39-year-old male patient with a mass in the left thigh. The mass is heterogeneous on the B-mode US image (compared with the patient in D) and showed increased microvascularity (superb microvascular imaging [SMI]) and shear-wave elastography (SWE) values. Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma was diagnosed at biopsy (with pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma in surgical specimen). (B) Images in an 18-year-old male patient with a mass in the left leg. The mass is hypoechoic on the B-mode image, with no other findings suggestive of malignancy. The lesion is in contact with the cortex of the tibia, which is slightly irregular. CT revealed a doubtful anteromedial tibial erosion. The microvascular study demonstrated high vascularization, suggestive of malignancy. Periosteal Ewing sarcoma was diagnosed with both histologic and immunohistochemical confirmation. (C) Images in a 69-year-old female patient with a lump growing on the outside of the left leg. Multiple SWE examinations were performed (please note the high values obtained in the measurements, whereas the color map highlights the stiffness relative to adjacent tissues). SMI showed areas of increased vascularization to target for sampling. Undifferentiated spindle cell sarcoma was diagnosed at biopsy, with residual leiomyosarcoma in the surgical specimen after neoadjuvant therapy. (D) Images in a 56-year-old female patient with a mass in the right thigh. The mass is heterogeneous at both B-mode ultrasound (similar to patient A) and MRI (coronal T2-weighted spectral attenuated inversion recovery [SPAIR]; T1-weighted pre-contrast and postcontrast imaging), which even shows uptake after the administration of paramagnetic contrast material, which is traditionally suggestive of malignancy. Low values at SMI and elastography are suggestive of benignity. Spindle cell lipoma was diagnosed at biopsy, with atypical spindle cell lipomatous tumor in the surgical specimen.](https://img.auntminnieeurope.com/mindful/smg/workspaces/default/uploads/2026/08/images-radiol250278fig2.APCFLSvX6p.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&dpr=2&fit=crop&h=167&q=70&w=250)
