Objective   This study investigates the clinical efficacy and toxicity of centrally located early lung cancer treated by stereotactic radiotherapy.

  Methods   We retrospectively reviewed 17 patients with centrally located non-small cell lung cancer staged T1/ T2N0M0from November 2006 to December 2010.The differences in the position and stage of tumors were considered.Different segmentations were performed in the lesions.The median prescription dose was 56 Gy(range: 48 Gy to 60 Gy), which was delivered into five fractions(range: 3 fractions to 10 fractions).The median planning target volume was 46.2 mL(range: 13.8 mL to 92.2 mL).

  Results   Nine patients achieved complete response, seven patients achieved partial response, and one patient achieved stable disease three months after treatment.The treatment response rate was 94.1% with a median follow-up of 19.5 months(range: 4 months to 64 months) and median survival time of 43 months.The local control, progress free survival and overall survival rates of patients at one and two years were 100% and 87.5%, 80.8% and 67.3%, and 77.3% and 53.3%, respectively.In the follow-up period, toxicities related to treatment, such as dyspnea, fatigue, and atelectasis, were observed.One patient developed Grade 3 toxicity, whereas no patient developed Grades 4 to 5 toxicities.

  Conclusion   On the basis of the position and stage of tumors, centrally located lung cancer can be safely and effectively treated by stereotactic radiotherapy with different segmentations.