Combination Chemotherapy With or Without Radiation Therapy in Treating Patients With Stage IIIA Non-small Cell Lung Cancer
Lung Cancer

About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Lung Cancer focused on measuring stage IIIA non-small cell lung cancer
Eligibility Criteria
DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed stage IIIA non-small cell lung cancer that has been completely resected by lobectomy, bilobectomy, pneumonectomy, or sleeve lobectomy through any incision (thoracoscopic or video assisted resection is acceptable) No known residual disease present Involvement in N2 nodes must have been determined only at the time of surgical exploration or by postoperative pathologic diagnosis All grossly involved nodes must be removed at surgery No positive mediastinoscopy (if lymph nodes on CT scan are greater than 1.5 cm in diameter, mediastinoscopy is required) PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: ZUBROD 0-1 Life expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: Granulocyte count at least 1,500/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin less than 1.5 mg/dL SGOT no greater than upper limit of normal Renal: Creatinine clearance at least 20 mL/min Other: Not pregnant or nursing PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: No concurrent growth factors Chemotherapy: No prior chemotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer No other concurrent chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: No concurrent hormone therapy except: Steroids for adrenal failure Hormones for nondisease related conditions Dexamethasone as an antiemetic Radiation therapy: No prior radiotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer Surgery: See Disease Characteristics
Sites / Locations
- CCOP - Scottsdale Oncology Program
- CCOP - Illinois Oncology Research Association
- CCOP - Carle Cancer Center
- CCOP - Cedar Rapids Oncology Project
- CCOP - Iowa Oncology Research Association
- Siouxland Hematology-Oncology
- CCOP - Wichita
- CCOP - Duluth
- Mayo Clinic Cancer Center
- CCOP - Missouri Valley Cancer Consortium
- Quain & Ramstad Clinic, P.C.
- CCOP - Merit Care Hospital
- Altru Health Systems
- CCOP - Toledo Community Hospital Oncology Program
- Rapid City Regional Hospital
- CCOP - Sioux Community Cancer Consortium
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Active Comparator
Experimental
Surgery + paclitaxel + carboplatin
Surgery + paclitaxel + carboplatin + radiotherapy
Four to eight weeks after surgery, all patients receive paclitaxel IV over 3 hours followed by carboplatin IV over 1-2 hours on days 1, 22, 43, and 64. Following completion of four courses of chemotherapy, patients are followed at least every 4 months for 2 years, then every 6 months thereafter.
Four to eight weeks after surgery, all patients receive paclitaxel IV over 3 hours followed by carboplatin IV over 1-2 hours on days 1, 22, 43, and 64. Following completion of four courses of chemotherapy, patients receive radiotherapy 5 days a week for 5 weeks to the mediastinum, beginning 2.5 to 4 weeks after completion of chemotherapy. Patients are followed at least every 4 months for 2 years, then every 6 months thereafter.