Cascadian Therapeutics (CASC)

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stage IIIA versus IIIB

Most commonly, patients are classified as stage III because of involvement of lymph nodes in the mediastinum (a space in the middle of the chest between the two lungs). If the involved mediastinal lymph nodes are on the same side of the chest as the lung tumor (ipsilateral nodes), this is classified as N2 and is considered stage IIIA disease. If the involved lymph nodes are on the opposite side of the mediastinum (contralateral nodes), these are considered N3 nodes, and the cancer is stage IIIB. If a patient has involvement of supraclavicular lymph nodes (just above the collar bone, or clavicle) on either side, these are considered N3 lymph nodes, and the stage is likewise IIIB.

frist line:
The most commonly used regimens are cisplatin and etoposide at full dose, or carboplatin and Taxol given weekly at low doses with radiation

median survival of about 22 months

It is important to note that this trial included patients with squamous cell cancers, a group who we now know does NOT appear to benefit from Alimta. Currently, a randomized phase III study comparing cisplatin/Alimta/radiation to the old standard cisplatin/etoposide/radiation is underway - only patients with non-squamous cancers are being included.

http://cancergrace.org/lung/2010/08/22/introduction-to-locally-advanced-unresectable-stage-iii-nsclc/