[Ifosfamide versus ifosfamide + CCNU in the treatment of inoperable small cell carcinoma of the lung. A clinical study].

55 selected patients with inoperable small cell carcinoma of the lung have been induced in a randomized prospective trial in order to compare the efficacy of ifosfamide monotherapy with the combination of ifosfamid + CCNU. Initially a control group, treated with symptomatic therapy only, was also included but preliminary analysis revealing that results were unfavourable in comparison to those of the chemotherapy group; this treatment arm was omitted. 53 of 55 patients were evaluable. In group 1 (symptomatic therapy) results were better as to patients' quality of life, but no tumor remissions have been observed and survival times were significantly shorter (15 to 122 days; geometric mean 42.35 days). In group 2 (ifosfamide monotherapy) one total remission (lasting 15 months) and 2 partial remissions (lasting from 3 weeks to 4 months) have been achieved; in this group survival was 3 to 473 days (geometric mean 110.15 days). In group 3 (ifosfamide + CCNU) 7 partial remissions have been observed (3 weeks to 4 months), survival was 17 to 477 days (geometric mean 107.32 days). The combination of ifosfamide with CCNU did not reveal any advantage in comparison to ifosfamide monotherapy.