Prognostic Impact of Missed Chemotherapy Doses During Chemoradiation Therapy for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of missed chemotherapy administrations (MCA) on the prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients treated with definitive chemoradiation therapy (CRT).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: In total, 97 patients with NSCLC treated with definitive CRT were assessed for MCA due to toxicities. Logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with MCA. Kaplan-Meier curves, log-rank tests, and Cox Proportional Hazards models were conducted.

RESULTS: MCA occurred in 39% (n=38) of the patients. Median overall survival was 9.6 months for patients with MCA compared with 24.3 months for those receiving all doses (P=0.004). MCA due to decline in performance status was associated with the worst survival (4.6 mo) followed by allergic reaction (10.0 mo), hematologic toxicity (11 mo), and esophagitis (17.2 mo, P=0.027). In multivariate models, MCA was associated with higher mortality (hazard ratio, 1.97; P=0.01) and worse progression-free survival (hazard ratio, 1.96; P=0. 009).

CONCLUSIONS: MCA correlated with worse prognosis and increased mortality. Methods to reduce toxicity may improve administration of all chemotherapy doses and increase overall survival in NSCLC treated with CRT.