Curative effect of hyperfractionated accelerated radiotherapy combined with EP chemotherapy regimen on limited-stage small cell lung cancer

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the curative effect and safety of hyperfractionated accelerated radiotherapy (HART) and conventional fractionated radiotherapy (CFRT) combined with EP chemotherapy regimen in the treatment of limited-stage small cell lung cancer (LS-SCLC). Methods: A total of 148 patients with LS-SCLC were retrospectively analyzed. 74 cases underwent HART combined with EP chemotherapy regimen (HART group), while the remaining 74 cases underwent CFRT combined with EP chemotherapy regimen (Control group). The short-term response rate and quality-of-life score were compared between the two groups. Then the patients were followed up, and the survival status of them was recorded. Results: The curative effect was evaluated in all patients at 2 months after treatment. The overall response rate was 86.5% and 68.9%, respectively, in HART group and Control group. After treatment, the scores of physical function, role function, cognitive function, emotional function, social function and general health status were all higher in HART group than those in Control group. In HART group, the score of nausea/vomiting was significantly higher than that in Control group. The median overall survival (OS) was 23.6 months and 20.2 months, and the 3-year OS rate was 21.6% and 14.9%, respectively, in HART group and Control group. The results of log-rank test revealed that the OS rate had a statistically significant difference between the two groups, and it was remarkably superior in HART group to that in Control group. Conclusions: HART combined with EP chemotherapy regimen has a better curative effect on LS-SCLC than con- ventional radiotherapy, and the survival rate of patients is higher, without significantly increasing adverse reactions and significantly reducing quality of life, so it is worthy of clinical popularization.