Stereotactic body radiotherapy feasibility for patients with peripheral stage Ι lung cancer and poor pulmonary function

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the toxicity and investigate the prognostic factors of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for peripheral stage Ι lung cancer in patients with poor pulmonary function. Data from 95 patients with stage I lung cancer with poor pulmonary function treated using SBRT at Osaka Rosai Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Poor pulmonary function was defined as the forced expiratory volume %/sec (FEV1/FVC) <70% or percentage of vital capacity (%VC) <80% during pretreatment spirometry testing. The median FEV1/FVC and %VC of the patients were 59.1 and 78.8%, respectively. The most commonly prescribed dose of SBRT was 50 Gy in four fractions (68 patients, 72%). The median follow-up period was 34 months. Four patients developed adverse effects of grade≥3,onepatientdevelopedgrade5radiationpneumonitis, one grade 5 hemoptysis, one grade 3 radiation pneumonitis and one grade 3 chest wall pain. The 3-year local control and overall survival (OS) rates were 78.8 and 59.9%, respectively. Univariate analysis revealed that Karnofsky performance status (KPS) significantly predicted OS (P=0.037). Thus, SBRT in patients with stage I lung cancer with poor pulmonary function may be effective with acceptable toxicity. A KPS score ≥80 indicated good prognosis.