Tuberc Respir Dis.  2012 Apr;72(4):381-385.

Second Complete Remission of Relapsed Stage IV Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Following Retreatment

• Yoo SJ
• Lee JE
• Jung SY
• Park DI
• Park MR
• Park HS
• Jung SS
• Kim JO
• Kim SY

Abstract

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the leading cause of cancer related deaths. Most patients were presented with advanced disease at the time of diagnosis. In advanced NSCLC, it is almost impossible to anticipate complete remission by using only cytotoxic chemotherapy or molecularly targeted agents. In our case, two patients were diagnosed as advanced NSCLC and received chemotherapy. They achieved complete response (CR). After finishing treatment, disease recurred. They were retreated with the same regimens and achieved second CR. Until now, they have received each regimen, continuously, and the CR state has been maintained.

Keyword

Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung; Remission Induction; Retreatment; Maintenance Chemotherapy

MeSH Terms

Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung
Humans
Maintenance Chemotherapy
Remission Induction
Retreatment

Figure

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  Figure 1 Summary from the initial diagnostic investigation to last follow-up. (A~C) Initial diagnostic investigation. (A) Chest computed tomography (CT). (B) Bronchoscopy. (C) Bronchoscopic biopsy (H&E stain, ×400). (D~F) Response evaluation after third-line pemetrexed treatment. *Indicates hyroiditis confirmed by fine needle aspiration. (G~I) Response evaluation at 9 months after discontinuation of pemetrexed treatment. (J~L) Second complete response state after four cycles of pemetrexed retreatment. #Indicates fibrotic scar after CyberKnife treatment. (D, G, J) Chest CT. (E, F, H, I, K, L) Positron emission tomography-CT.

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  Figure 2 Summary from the initial diagnostic investigation to last follow-up. (A~C) Initial diagnostic investigation. (A) Chest X-ray. (B) Chest computed tomography (CT). (C) Lung biopsy (H&E stain, ×200). (D) Response evaluation after 5 months treatment. (E, F) Response evaluation after 13 months treatment. (G~I) Response evaluation at 5 months after discontinuation of erlotinib treatment. (J, K) Second complete response state after 2 months of erlotinib retreatment. (D, G, J) Chest CT. (E, F, H, I, K) Positron emission tomography-CT. (L) Chest CT (July 2011).

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