Primary tumor control after radiotherapy for carcinoma of the bronchus.

The primary tumor control and the appearance of distant metastasis was observed closely in 62 patients entered into a randomized controlled trial of the radiosensitizing drug, misonidazole, in carcinoma of the bronchus. Sixty-one of the 62 patients are now dead; an autopsy examination was carried out in 42 (69%). Although survival was comparable to that observed in similar studies, tumor persisted or recurred at the primary site in 95% (58/61) while 39% (24/61) showed no evidence for distant metastasis. In these patients, improvement in the primary tumor control would be important in extending survival.