Publication
Role of Postoperative Radiotherapy in the Management for Resected NSCLC - Decision Criteria in Clinical Routine Pre- and Post-LungART
Journal Paper/Review - Aug 14, 2021
Süveg Krisztian, McDonald Fiona, Dziadziuszko Rafal, Belderbos Jose, Ricardi Umberto, Manapov Farkhad, Lievens Yolande, Geets Xavier, Dieckmann Karin, Guckenberger Matthias, Andratschke Nicolaus, Nestle Ursula, Peeters Stephanie T H, Le Pechoux Cecile, Faivre-Finn Corinne, Putora Paul Martin, De Ruysscher Dirk, Widder Joachim, Van Houtte Paul, Troost Esther G C, Slotman Ben J, Ramella Sara, Pöttgen Christoph, Glatzer Markus
Units
PubMed
Doi
Citation
Type
Journal
Publication Date
Issn Electronic
Pages
Brief description/objective
BACKGROUND
The role of postoperative radiation therapy (PORT) in stage III N2 NSCLC is controversial. We analyzed decision-making for PORT among European radiation oncology experts in lung cancer.
METHODS
Twenty-two experts were asked before and after presentation of the results of the LungART trial to describe their decision criteria for PORT in the management of pN+ NSCLC patients. Treatment strategies were subsequently converted into decision trees and analyzed.
RESULTS
Following decision criteria were identified: extracapsular nodal extension, incomplete lymph node resection, multistation lymph nodes, high nodal tumor load, poor response to induction chemotherapy, ineligibility to receive adjuvant chemotherapy, performance status, resection margin, lung function and cardiopulmonary comorbidities. The LungART results had impact on decision-making and reduced the number of recommendations for PORT. The only clear indication for PORT was a R1/2 resection. Six experts out of ten who initially recommended PORT for all R0 resected pN2 patients no longer used PORT routinely for these patients, while four still recommended PORT for all patients with pN2. Fourteen experts used PORT only for patients with risk factors, compared to eleven before the presentation of the LungART trial. Four experts stated that PORT was never recommended in R0 resected pN2 patients regardless of risk factors.
CONCLUSION
After presentation of the LungART trial results at ESMO 2020, 82% of our experts still used PORT for stage III pN2 NSCLC patients with risk factors. The recommendation for PORT decreased, especially for patients without risk factors. Cardiopulmonary comorbidities became more relevant in the decision-making for PORT.