Panacea Journal of Medical Sciences

Page: 312-318

Introduction: Patients with lung cancer may be eligible for a variety of therapies, including surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy, depending on their stage. Specific mutations have been identified thanks to breakthroughs in genetics and biomarker testing, allowing for more personalised treatment for particular patients. Nearly 40% of lung cancer patients who are newly diagnosed are in stage IV. The first-line treatment for stage IV non-small cell lung cancer is cytotoxic combination chemotherapy, which is determined by histology, performance status, and age vs. comorbidities. The American Society of Clinical Oncology recommends a platinum (cisplatin or carboplatin) with paclitaxel, gemcitabine, vinorelbine, docetaxel, pemetrexed, or irinotecan regimen.

Material and Methods: this study was done on 40 patients of non-small cell cancer who were divided into two groups of 20 patients each. One group was given cisplatin and paclitaxel while other was given cisplatin and gemcitabine. 32 male and 8 female patients in the age group 47-83 years were included in the study to compare and see the difference in overall survival and toxicity in two groups.

Result: overall survival in gemcitabine group was found to be 8.75 months and in paclitaxel group was found to be   8.05 months. Toxicities were found to be higher in gemcitabine  group.

Conclusion: average overall survival was higher in gemcitabine group however it was not statistically significant from the other group. Toxicities were also found to be higher in gemcitabine group. Further larger studies are required to find a statistical significant conclusion.