The Response of Parenchymal Mass and Airway Obstruction from Lung Cancer to Radiation Therapy

단순 흉부 X-선 사진상 폐암 소견에 대한 방사선 치료의 효과 -단기 추적 조사를 중심으로-

From April 1986 to Dec 1988, fifty one patients with carcinoma of lung were treated by radiation therapy in Department of Therapeutic Radiology, Yeungnam University Hospital Of the 51 patients, $31(61\%)$ were squamous cell ca, $8(15.7\%)$ were small cell ca, and remained $4(7.9\%)$ were other cell types. Total radiation dose was average $64Gy (60\~75 Gy)$ for group A and 45Gy $(40\~59Gy)$ for group B. The mass regression and the response of airway obstruction to radiation therapy was established on the basis of follow up chest X-ray. The mass regression above $50\%$ of total volume was noted in 23 patients $(74.2\%)$ among 31 patients and the difference between two groups was not seen. In squamous cell ca, however, the mass regression rate (above $50\%$ of total volume) was $83.3\%$ (10/12) in group A compared to $50\%$ (3/6) in group B(p<0.05). The alleviation of airway obstruction was noted as follows. In group A, CR $42.9\%$, PR $35.7\%$, no response $21.4\%$ and in group B, CR $55.6\%,\;PR\;33.3\%$, no response $11.1\%$. But, in squamous cell ca, responsiveness is higher than group B. The study indicates that the importance of higher radiation dose in the management of primary tumor mass and airway obstruction caused by lung cancer especially squamous cell ca. So, meticulous treatment planning and multimodality combination therapy without increasing si.do elect or complication is recommended in management of inoperable bronchogenic carcinoma.