Changes in Patterns of Care for Limited-Stage Small-Cell Lung Cancer: Results of the 99-01 Patterns of Care Study—A Nationwide Survey in Japan

Background This study was undertaken to analyze the practice process of thoracic radiotherapy (TRT) and evaluate changes in patterns of care for patients with limited-stage small-cell lung cancer (LS-SCLC) in Japan. Methods and Materials The Patterns of Care Study (PCS) conducted the second nationwide survey of care process for patients with LS-SCLC treated by using TRT between 1999 and 2001. Results The PCS collected data for 139 patients with LS-SCLC (man-woman ratio, 5:1; median age, 69 years; age > 70 years, 43%; Karnofsky Performance Status > 70, 73%; and Stage III, 88%). Median total dose was 50 Gy. Twice-daily TRT was used in 44% of patients. Median field size was 12 × 14 cm. The most commonly used photon energy was 10 MV (77%), whereas obsolete techniques using60 Co or X-ray energy less than 6 MV comprised 12%. Three-dimensional conformal therapy was used with 12% of patients. Computed tomography simulation was performed in 40% of cases. Only 12 patients (8.6%) received prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI). Concurrent chemotherapy and TRT (CCRT) was used for 94 patients (68%). Only 6 patients (4.4%) entered clinical trials. Compared with the previous PCS 95-97, significant increases in the use of CCRT (34–68%; p < 0.0001), twice-daily TRT (15–44%; p < 0.0001), and PCI (1.7–8.6%; p =0.0045) were observed, although the absolute number of patients receiving PCI was still extremely low. Conclusions Evidence-based CCRT and twice-daily TRT has penetrated into clinical practice. However, PCI is not yet widely accepted in Japan.