Combination chemotherapy in metastatic or recurrent non-small cell bronchogenic carcinoma. 5-year results.

A controlled clinical trial was performed to test two different chemotherapy regimens (doxorubicin + cyclophosphamide + vincristine versus CCNU + vincristine) in 100 patients with metastatic or recurrent non-small cell bronchogenic carcinoma. There was no significant difference between treatment groups in survival or in response. Only 4 patients had a partial remission and there were no complete responders. Median survival was 7 months and 8 patients lived over two years, one patient is still alive (65 + months). The benefit of combined chemotherapy in non-small cell bronchogenic carcinoma remains minimal.