Treatment patterns and overall survival among patients with unresectable, stage III non-small-cell lung cancer

Aim

To analyze treatment patterns and overall survival (OS) across time (2009-2014) among patients with unresected, stage III non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). 

Patients & methods

Stage III NSCLC patients aged ≥65 years who initiated therapy were identified using SEER-Medicare data. 

Results

Among 4564 patients, 84% received chemotherapy (with or without radiotherapy), and 59% received chemoradiotherapy (CRT). Carboplatin + paclitaxel was the most frequent regimen. Median (interquartile range) OS among chemotherapy patients was 13.2 (6.0-28.9) months, and 14.8 (6.7-33.4) months among CRT patients. Among CRT patients, there was no difference in OS across years of CRT initiation. 

Conclusion

OS remained static across 2009-2014, indicating stagnancy in clinical outcomes for stage III NSCLC patients and a need for more effective therapeutic options.