Definitive Radiotherapy in Locally Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Dose and Fractionation

Abstract

Definitive radiotherapy plays a major role in the treatment of locallyadvanced non-small cell lung cancer (LA NSCLC). After theimpact of RT dose for lung cancer was established, a number of trialswere structured with the aim of better local control and overallsurvival by either dose escalation or shortening the total treatmenttime through conventional/altered fractionation, even in combinationwith chemotherapy (CT) and other targeted agents. In spite ofthe increased number of these studies, the optimal dose or fractionationstill remains to be determined. Another aspect questioned isthe incorporation of these higher doses and shorter treatment timeswith chemotherapy or targeted agents. This review summarises theresults of significant trials on dose and altered fractionation in thetreatment of LA-NSCLC with an emphasis on possible future perspectives.