A new combined treatment for patients with inoperable lung cancer could increase life expectancy from months to years, researchers say.
The normal life expectancy for patients after being diagnosed with inoperable non-small cell lung cancer, which accounts for around 60% of all cases, is around eight months.
Dr Joe Maguire of the Liverpool Lung Cancer Unit
But researchers addressing the winter meeting of the British Thoracic Society in London said a new treatment could significantly increase that.
Doctors from Liverpool Lung Cancer Unit gave 75 patients high doses of concurrent chemoradiation and radical radiotherapy between 1997 and 2004.
Life expectancy was extended to one year in 76% of patients, 45% at two years, 40% at three years and 26% at five years.
The researchers said the treatment was generally well tolerated and quality of life was significantly improved.
There were no deaths related to the radical treatment.
The unit's Dr Joe Maguire said: "Not all patients are suitable for this treatment unfortunately.
"But we have shown that it is an effective and safe treatment for those with locally advanced lung cancer who are generally fit otherwise and offers the prospect of significant long term survival."
An extensive national trial of the technique will start in January, comparing the method with existing treatments.
PA