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How do you approach a NSCLC case with extensive nodal disease that results in a radiation plan that cannot meet normal tissue constraints?

When treating a NSCLC with extensive bilateral mediastinal disease +/- supraclavicular nodes, would you recommend exceeding certain tissue constrains such as lung, heart, or esophagus? Or dropping the total dose? Decreasing your CTV/PTV margins? Neoadjuvant chemotherapy would likely not help as the involved nodal stations will be treated regardless of chemotherapy response.
2 Answers
Mednet Member
Mednet Member
Radiation Oncology · David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
Answered on

This is an interesting question as there are multiple, complementary approaches that can be taken:

  • If using > 60 Gy, drop the dose down to 60 Gy in 2 Gy fractions. Some practitioners continue to use > 60 Gy in the post-RTOG 0617 era, which is not unreasonable based on retrospective data and first pr...

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Mednet Member
Mednet Member
Radiation Oncology · Prostate Cancer Institute of America
Answered on

One can consider neoadjuvant chemo (debulk) or protons.

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