Palliative Radiation Therapy for Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)

Publication Date: August 1, 2018
Last Updated: March 14, 2022

Recommendations

Incurable stage III NSCLC

In the management of patients with stage III NSCLC deemed unsuitable for curative therapy but who are (1) candidates for chemotherapy, (2) have an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) PS of 0 to 2, and (3) have a life expectancy of at least 3 months, administration of a platinum-containing chemotherapy doublet concurrently with moderately hypofractionated palliative thoracic radiation therapy is recommended over treatment with either modality alone. (Strong, Moderate)
323259

Stage IV NSCLC

In the palliative management of patients with stage IV NSCLC, routine use of concurrent thoracic chemoradiation is not recommended. This practice should remain primarily reserved for clinical trials or multi-institutional registries. (Strong, Low)
323259

Recommendation Grading

Overview

Title

Palliative Radiation Therapy for Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)

Authoring Organization

American Society for Radiation Oncology

Publication Month/Year

August 1, 2018

Last Updated Month/Year

April 13, 2023

Document Type

Guideline

External Publication Status

Published

Country of Publication

US

Document Objectives

To revise the recommendation on the use of concurrent chemotherapy (CC) with palliative thoracic external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) made in the original 2011 American Society for Radiation Oncology guideline on palliative thoracic radiation for lung cancer.

Target Patient Population

Patient with non-small cell lung cancer unsuitable for curative therapy

Inclusion Criteria

Female, Male, Adolescent, Adult, Older adult

Health Care Settings

Hospice, Hospital, Long term care, Outpatient, Radiology services

Intended Users

Nurse, nurse practitioner, physician, physician assistant

Scope

Management, Treatment

Diseases/Conditions (MeSH)

D002289 - Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung, D010166 - Palliative Care, D018787 - Radiation Oncology, D011827 - Radiation, D008175 - Lung Neoplasms

Keywords

lung cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, palliative care, radiation therapy, Non Small Cell Lung Cancer, non_small_cell_lung_cancer, Adjuvant Radiation Therapy

Source Citation

Practical Radiation Oncology (2018) 8, 245-250

Methodology

Number of Source Documents
21
Literature Search Start Date
March 1, 2010
Literature Search End Date
July 27, 2016