Abstract:
Objective The present work aimed to investigate the impact of the gross tumor volume(GTV-T) on the long-term survival of non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC) patients treated with three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy(3D-CRT).
Methods A total of 87 patients with inoperable NSCLC were treated with 3D-CRT.The primary tumor volume(GTV-P), nodal volume(GTV-N), and GTV-T were defined by contouring and sketching in multiple sections obtained from the treatment planning system and computed tomography scan.
Results The overall survival rates were significantly higher in the NSCLC patients with the largest tumor diameter of < 5.0 cm, GTV-P < 90.00 cm3, and GTV-T < 100.00 cm 3 compared with those with a tumor diameter≥5.0 cm, GTV-P≥90.00 cm3, and GTV-T≥100.00 cm3.The local control rate was significantly higher in patients with GTV-T < 100.00 cm 3 than in those with GTV-T≥100.00 cm3(χ2=6.46, P=0.0110).In the group that received=£66 Gy, the overall survival rate was significantly higher in the subgroup with GTV-T < 100.00 cm 3 compared with those with GTV-T≥100.00 cm3(χ2=4.59, P=0.0322).In the patients who received a dose > 66 Gy, the GTV-T size did not affect the overall survival.Multivariate analysis showed that the independent variables of the survival included the N-stage, GTV-T, and short-term curative effect.
Conclusion The GTV-T is a reliable indicator of the overall survival and local control rates of NSCLC patients who have undergone 3D-CRT treatment.The GTV-T may also be important in the stratification of patients for prospective therapy trials.In future radiotherapeutic trials, patients may need to be stratified by the GTV-T.High-dose radiotherapy may decrease the GTV-T in locally advanced NSCLC.