Pancoast Tumor: The Value of High Dose Radiation Therapy

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Abstract
Patients (26) with superior pulmonary sulcus (Pancoast) tumors were evaluated. Twelve patients were treated with high dose radiotherapy with NSD [nominal standard dose] over 1900 ret and 10 with NSD less than 1900 ret. Four patients were treated with combined radiation and surgery. High dose radiotherapy resulted in relief of pain in all patients but apparently did not change survival. Low dose radiotherapy offered relief of pain to only half the patients. Distant metastasis was noted in 30% of patients (15% to brain, 3.8% to liver), rib destruction in 65% and supraclavicular nodes in 19%. Only 4 patients went to surgery and 2 died during operation. Pancoast tumor is essentially an inoperable disease.