Place de la chimiothérapie

Cisplatin based chemotherapy for stage IV non small cell lung cancer patients with good performance status is associated with improved survival and better symptom control. Chemotherapeutic regimens should include cisplatin with at least one other active drugs as ifosfamide, mitomycin C, vindesine, vinblastine (second generation drugs) or gemcitabine, paclitaxel, docetaxel, irinotecan and/or vinorelbine (thirs generation drugs). If the other drug is a new one, there is no evidence for the addition of a third agent. Four to six cycles is proposed in responding patients. Non-platinum-based regimens may be used in cases where platinum-based chemotherapy is contra-indicated. Single agent chemotherapy may be considered in patients with poor performance status.