Thoracic radiotherapy for limited-stage small-cell lung cancer: Controversies and future developments

Thoracic radiotherapy has an established role in the management of limited-disease small-cell lung cancer (LD SCLC). However, essential questions relating to the optimisation of thoracic radiotherapy remain unanswered, including volume of irradiation, optimal total dose, fractionation, timing and sequencing of radiation. This review highlights the need for well-designed multi-national trials aimed at the optimisation and standardisation of radiotherapy for LD SCLC. © 2005 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of the Royal College of Radiologists.