Pre-operative radiotherapy and surgery in the treatment of oat cell carcinoma of the bronchus.

The results of treatment of 90 patients with operable oat cell carcinoma from 1966 to 1976 by low dose pre-operative cobalt radiotherapy and radical surgery are given. Forty-nine patients were given 1750 and 24 2500 cGy (rad), there being no survivors in this latter group. No explanation for this is put forward. Of the 73 patients undergoing radical surgery 11 (15%) were alive and well at four years. The organisation of a multicentre random trial to establish the value of this treatment is suggested.