SBRT Well Tolerated, Effective for Primary Lung Neuroendocrine Tumor

THURSDAY, Feb. 23, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- For patients with primary lung neuroendocrine tumor (LNET), stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) is well tolerated and provides excellent locoregional control, according to a study published online Jan. 25 in the International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics.

Daniel E. Oliver, M.D., from the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida, and colleagues conducted a retrospective review of 48 tumors in 46 patients from 11 institutions with a histologically confirmed diagnosis of LNET. Patients were treated nonoperatively with primary radiotherapy from 2006 to 2020.

The median tumor size was 2 cm and median age at treatment was 71 years. Overall, 32, seven, and nine lesions were typical carcinoid histology, atypical, and indeterminate, respectively. The SBRT fractionation schedule given most often was 50 to 60 Gy in five daily fractions. The researchers found that overall survival was 64, 43, and 26 percent at three, six, and nine years, while progression-free survival was 88, 78, and 78 percent, respectively. Local control was 97, 91, and 91 percent at three, six, and nine years, respectively. One regional recurrence occurred in a paraesophageal lymph node. There were no grade 3 or higher toxicities.

"The current study is the largest and first multi-institutional series evaluating local control, toxicity and dosimetric outcomes with SBRT for early-stage lung neuroendocrine tumors," a coauthor said in a statement. "Our results suggest that while surgery provides excellent outcomes, SBRT should be considered another treatment option for this patient population."

Several authors disclosed financial ties to the pharmaceutical industry.

Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)