AUTHOR=Xu Chang , Li Meng , Cai Xuwei , Yuan Shuanghu , Cao Jianzhong , Zhu Shuchai , Chen Ming , Bi Nan , Hu Xiao , Li Jiancheng , Zhou Wei , Wang Ping , Zhao Lujun , Liu Ningbo 

TITLE=Practice Patterns of Treatment Strategy of Limited-Stage Small-Cell Lung Cancer: Survey of Chinese Oncologists

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Oncology

VOLUME=Volume 12 - 2022

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/oncology/articles/10.3389/fonc.2022.872324

DOI=10.3389/fonc.2022.872324

ISSN=2234-943X

ABSTRACT=Background: Thoracic radiotherapy (TRT) with concurrent chemotherapy is the standard treatment of limited-stage small-cell lung cancer (LS-SCLC). However, there is still a controversy surrounding the treatment strategy especially optimal dosing and fractionation schedule. Current practice patterns among Chinese oncologists are unknown.
Materials and Methods: We surveyed 212 Chinese oncologists using a questionnaire including 50 questions designed by experienced oncologists. Questions covered demographic data, treatment recommendations, and self-assessed knowledge of guidelines or key clinical trials for SCLC. The Chi-square test and Fisher’s exact test were utilized to describe the result of the study.
Results: The response rate was 97% (207/212). Of all the respondents, 69% preferred TRT QD, 29% preferred BID, and 2% chose HFRT. For those who prefer TRT QD, 72% preferred a total dose of 60Gy, followed by 15% opting for 66Gy, 12% for<60Gy, and 1% for 70Gy. Of those who prefer BID, 79% preferred a total dose of 45Gy, with 4% choosing 30Gy, 8% choosing 50Gy, 7% choosing 54Gy, and 2% choosing>54Gy. Regarding PCI, 82% of participants believed that PCI should be performed when treatment completed and 13% believed that PCI should begin immediately after concurrent chemoradiotherapy. As for other therapies, 26% of participants choose concurrent anti-angiogenic therapy during SCLC treatment, and 49% of which recommended small-molecule TKI as the main anti-angiogenic therapy.
Conclusion: Substantial variation exists in how Chinese oncologists approach TRT dosing and fractionation for LS-SCLC. Almost 70% of respondents reported administering TRT QD more often in daily work. The most common doses were 60Gy QD and 45Gy BID.