Lung carcinoma-M0. Patterns and results of radiotherapy of all patients referred to one department.

All patients with M0 carcinoma of the lung regardless of the histology, exclusive of Pancoast tumors referred to the same radiation oncology team from 1988 to 1992 were identified. They were 101 patients; 16 of whom were postoperative. To determine the patterns of radiation therapy and results, these cases were analyzed according to the radiation dose and volume irradiated. Fifteen patients had no or futile dose of radiation because of poor general condition. No prophylactic radiotherapy was intentionally given to the supraclavicular area. Relief of symptoms occurred in 87% of symptomatic, evaluable patients. Distant metastases developed in 20% of patients. There were no local recurrences in the nonirradiated supraclavicular or prophylactically irradiated mediastinal areas. Increasing the dose to the primary tumor from 6,000-6,500 to 6,600-7,000 cGy (180-200 cGy/fraction) was tried in a small number of patients with encouraging results.