BACKGROUND: Defining the optimal treatment for patients with inoperable non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), presenting with metastatic mediastinal lymph nodes, is challenging. Nevertheless, preoperative chemotherapy or radiotherapy might offer a chance for these patients for radical surgical resection and, possibly, complete recovery. CASE PRESENTATION: A 62-year old man with IIIA-N2 inoperable NSCLC was treated with first-line single agent docetaxel. A platinum-based treatment, though considered more active, was ruled out because of renal impairment. The patient tolerated the treatment very well and, although his initial response was not impressive, after 14 cycles he obtained a complete clinical response, which was confirmed pathologically after he underwent surgical lobectomy. CONCLUSION: In non-operable NSCLC patients not eligible for a platinum-based treatment, single-agent docetaxel can provide complete pathologic responses. Failure to obtain a response after the first few cycles should not automatically discourage to continue treatment.
BACKGROUND: Defining the optimal treatment for patients with inoperable non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), presenting with metastatic mediastinal lymph nodes, is challenging. Nevertheless, preoperative chemotherapy or radiotherapy might offer a chance for these patients for radical surgical resection and, possibly, complete recovery. CASE PRESENTATION: A 62-year old man with IIIA-N2 inoperable NSCLC was treated with first-line single agent docetaxel. A platinum-based treatment, though considered more active, was ruled out because of renal impairment. The patient tolerated the treatment very well and, although his initial response was not impressive, after 14 cycles he obtained a complete clinical response, which was confirmed pathologically after he underwent surgical lobectomy. CONCLUSION: In non-operable NSCLCpatients not eligible for a platinum-based treatment, single-agent docetaxel can provide complete pathologic responses. Failure to obtain a response after the first few cycles should not automatically discourage to continue treatment.
Authors: Steven D Heys; Andrew W Hutcheon; Tarun K Sarkar; Keith N Ogston; Iain D Miller; Simon Payne; Ian Smith; Leslie G Walker; Oleg Eremin Journal: Clin Breast Cancer Date: 2002-10 Impact factor: 3.225
Authors: Rogerio C Lilenbaum; James E Herndon; Marcy A List; Chris Desch; Dorothy M Watson; Antonius A Miller; Stephen L Graziano; Michael C Perry; Wayne Saville; Philippe Chahinian; Jane C Weeks; Jimmie C Holland; Mark R Green Journal: J Clin Oncol Date: 2005-01-01 Impact factor: 44.544
Authors: V Georgoulias; A G Pallis; C Kourousis; A Alexopoulos; A Ardavanis; A Agelidou; M Agelidou; M Toumbis; S Tzannes; G Pavlakou; P Ziotopoulos; E Tzelepatiotis; N Samaras Journal: Clin Lung Cancer Date: 2003-03 Impact factor: 4.785