Research Overview

Recent findings from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center indicate that stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) demonstrates survival rates comparable to surgical interventions for patients diagnosed with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) over a 10-year follow-up period. This data will be presented at the upcoming American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) 2025 Annual Meeting.

Study Insights

At a median follow-up duration of 8.3 years, the overall survival rates were found to be 69% for patients receiving SBRT, compared to 66% for those undergoing surgical procedures. This difference was not statistically significant, suggesting that both treatment modalities yield similar long-term outcomes. Additionally, lung cancer-specific survival and recurrence-free survival rates were also comparable between the two groups. Notably, the study reported an increased incidence of acute complications associated with surgical methods.

Quality of Life Considerations

Despite the higher complication rates linked to surgery, the quality of life assessments at the 10-year mark revealed similar outcomes for patients in both treatment cohorts. Researchers emphasized the significance of these findings in validating the initial five-year data previously reported.

Advantages of SBRT

SBRT, also referred to as stereotactic ablative body radiation (SABR), offers several advantages over traditional surgical approaches. One of the primary benefits is that many patients may not be candidates for surgery due to various health concerns, including advanced age, which increases surgical risks. SBRT provides a non-invasive alternative, enabling a more manageable recovery process and potentially reducing the financial burden on patients.

Clinical Implications

While the study underlines the efficacy of SBRT as a viable option for treating early-stage NSCLC, researchers caution against universally adopting this method for all patients. A multidisciplinary care team remains essential to evaluate the specific circumstances of each case, as certain patients with more complex tumors may still require surgical intervention.

Methodology

The research conducted involved a comparison between 80 patients treated with SBRT and 80 patients who underwent surgical procedures, specifically video-assisted thoracoscopic (VATS) lobectomy along with mediastinal lymph node removal. All participants had tumors measuring less than three centimeters, with no lymph node involvement or distant metastases.