Radiochemotherapy for Lung Cancer in Developing Countries

Evaluation on Current Lung Cancer Situation in China

“…The general treatments for these two subtypes are similar, which is through radiochemotherapy. The data collected by most of the developed countries and part of developing countries has proved that radiochemotherapy is now a standard approach in both SCLC and locally NSCLC [14]. For NSCLC, radiochemotherapy is not suggested to be used as the best treatment plan for patients in phases I and II, instead, these patients would prefer only radiotherapy or surgery for healthier patients [20].…”

“…For NSCLC, radiochemotherapy is not suggested to be used as the best treatment plan for patients in phases I and II, instead, these patients would prefer only radiotherapy or surgery for healthier patients [20]. But for patients in phase III, or advanced phase, studies have shown that concurrent radiochemotherapy is regarded as the best treatment choice for stage III [14]. Meanwhile, this method has been introduced in the treatment of SCLC, instead of simple chemotherapy, the clinic data indicates a better consequence of radiochemotherapy in terms of both improved local control and survival [14].…”

“…Moreover, in many developing countries, including China, a number of cancer patients are already in the advanced or metastatic stage when discovered [14]. The health care for lung cancer in China is not complete and needs to be improved.…”

Challenges in optimizing chemoradiation in locally advanced non small-cell lung cancers in India

“…It is, therefore, of paramount importance to put the experience of the developed world into the context of the limited resources and other health care problems of developing countries. [8] Outcomes with chemoradiotherapy in Indian patients with locally advanced lung cancer have been rarely reported. [9] There are various challenges in treatment of locally advanced lung cancer especially in the context of developing countries.…”

“…[ 43 ] The only reported randomized Indian study by Dasgupta which compared outcomes with radical radiotherapy versus sequential chemoradiotherapy versus concurrent chemoradiotherapy had 75% patients with stage III A and the reported progression free survival of 21 months is the highest survival with concurrent chemoradiation reported in the world. [ 8 ] Additionally the pertinent toxicities like esophagitis and radiation pneumonitis have not been mentioned.…”