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Selective mediastinal node irradiation based on FDG-PET scan data in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer: a prospective clinical study.

De Ruysscher D, Wanders S, van Haren E, Hochstenbag M, Geeraedts W, Utama I, Simons J, Dohmen J, Rhami A, Buell U, Thimister P, Snoep G, Boersma L, Verschueren T, van Baardwijk A, Minken A, Bentzen SM, Lambin P

Maastro Clinic, and Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Maastricht, p.a. Henri Dunantstraat 5, NL 6419 PC Heerlen, The Netherlands. dirk.deruysscher@maastro.nl

PURPOSE: To evaluate the patterns of recurrence when selective mediastinal node irradiation based on FDG-PET scan data is used in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS AND MATERIALS: A prospective Phase I/II study was undertaken on 44 patients with NSCLC without detectable distant metastases on CT and FDG-PET scan, delivering either 61.2 Gy in 34 fractions over 23 days or 64.8 Gy in 36 fractions over 24 days (1.8 Gy b.i.d. with 8-h interval). Only the primary tumor and the positive mediastinal areas on the pretreatment FDG-PET scan were irradiated. Isolated nodal failure was defined as recurrence in the regional nodes outside of the clinical target volume, in the absence of in-field failure. RESULTS: The CT and FDG-PET stage distribution was as follows: Stage I: 8 patients (18%) and 13 patients (29%); Stage II: 6 patients (14%) and 10 patients (23%); Stage IIIA: 15 patients (34%) and 7 patients (16%); Stage IIIB: 15 patients (34%) and 14 patients (32%), respectively. After a median follow-up time of 16 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 11-21 months) postradiotherapy, 11 patients (25%) developed a local recurrence. Only 1 patient (crude rate, 2.3%; upper bound of 95% CI, 10.3%), with a Stage II tumor on both CT and PET, developed an isolated nodal failure. The median actuarial overall survival was 21 months (95% CI, 14-28 months), and the median actuarial progression-free survival was 18 months (95% CI, 12-24 months). CONCLUSIONS: Selective mediastinal node irradiation based on FDG-PET scan data in patients with NSCLC results in low isolated nodal failure rates. In the Phase I component of this trial, radiation dose escalation up to 64.8 Gy in 36 fractions over 24 days is feasible.

Published 1 July 2005 in Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys, 62(4): 988-94.
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