Importance of timing for thoracic irradiation in the combined modality treatment of limited-stage small-cell lung cancer. The National Cancer Institute of Canada Clinical Trials Group.

PURPOSE: The importance of the timing of thoracic irradiation (TI) in the combined modality therapy of limited-stage small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) was assessed in a randomized trial. METHODS: All 308 eligible patients received cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and vincristine (CAV) alternating with etoposide and cisplatin (EP) every 3 weeks for three cycles of each chemotherapy regimen. Patients randomized to early TI received 40 Gy in 15 …