BACKGROUNDTo investigate the prognostic factors of 355 patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer for researching an individual treatment module.

METHODSFrom March 1988 to October 2000, after diagnosed by histology or cytology and staged by staging examinations, 355 novel advanced NSCLC patients (stage III, 134; stage IV, 221) were enrolled, who were given at least 2-cycle chemotherapy. Response rate and survival were observed and prognostic factors were analysed.

RESULTSOut of 355 patients, 101 got partial response and 147 had stable disease. Response rate was 28.45%, and tumor control rate was 69.86%. Median survival duration was 16 months. The 1-, 2-, 3- and 5-year survival rates were 58.41%, 29.35%, 14.60% and 8.60%, respectively. In the patients with stage IV, median survival duration was 14 months, and 1-, 2-, 3- and 5-year survival rates were 54.62%, 25.59%, 12.70% and 6.73%, respectively. COX multiple variable analysis showed that improved/stable ECOG score (P=0.044 0) and chemotherapy (after second line failure) combined with γ-IFN (P=0.039 0) had prognostic significance.

CONCLUSIONSImprovement of quality of life is quite important in the treatment of advanced NSCLC. Combination with γ-IFN or TAM and radiotherapy of primary tumor may be helpful to improve the survival of patients with stage IV.