Management of small-cell lung cancer with radiotherapy—a pan-Canadian survey of radiation oncologists

Background The management of small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) with radiotherapy (RT) varies, with many treatment regimens having been described in the literature. We created a survey to assess patterns of practice and clinical decision-making in the management of SCLC by Canadian radiation oncologists (ROS).Methods A 35-item survey was sent by e-mail to Canadian ROS. The questions investigated the role of RT, the dose and timing of RT, target delineation, and use of prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) in limited-stage (LS) and extensive-stage (ES) SCLC.Results Responses were received from 52 eligible ROS. For LS-SCLC, staging (98%) and simulation or dosimetric (96%) computed tomography imaging were key determinants of RT suitability. The most common dose and fractionation schedule was 40–45 Gy in 15 once-daily fractions (40%), with elective nodal irradiation performed by 31% of ROS. Preferred management of clinical T1/2aN0 SCLC favoured primary chemoradiotherapy (64%). For ES-SCLC, consolidative thoracic RT was frequently offered (88%), with a preferred dose and fractionation schedule of 30 Gy in 10 once-daily fractions (70%). Extrathoracic consolidative RT would not be offered by 23 ROS (44%). Prophylactic cranial irradiation was generally offered in LS-SCLC (100%) and ES-SCLC (98%) after response to initial treatment. Performance status, baseline cognition, and pre-PCI brain imaging were important patient factors assessed before an offer of PCI.Conclusions Canadian ROS show practice variation in SCLC management. Future clinical trials and national treatment guidelines might reduce variability in the treatment of early-stage disease, optimization of dose and targeting in LS-SCLC, and definition of suitability for PCI or consolidative RT.