Continuous infusion of etoposide, bolus administration of cisplatin, and simultaneous radiation therapy in previously treated patients with small cell bronchogenic carcinoma.

Thirty-one patients with previously treated small cell bronchogenic carcinoma were treated with split-course radiation therapy and concurrent cisplatin and etoposide. Twenty-four patients (78%) had clinical partial or complete responses. Median survival from the time of salvage was 6.3 months. Fifty-eight percent of the patients failed on therapy initially in sites outside the radiation port. Hematologic toxicity was moderate. Concurrent cisplatin, etoposide, and split-course radiation therapy is feasible and active in the treatment of small cell bronchogenic carcinoma.