The role of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for tumors involving the chest wall (CW) remains ill-defined. The Radiation Therapy Oncology Group 0236 trial allowed inclusion of T3N0 non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) < 5 cm, although ultimately none were enrolled. No published data set investigating this population is available.

We queried an institutional review board-approved prospective SBRT registry to identify patients with tumors involving the CW, defined as radiographic evidence of frank soft tissue invasion or bony destruction. All patients underwent SBRT to a median dose of 50 Gy in 5 fractions and were followed up for tumor control, pain response, and toxicity.

Of 820 NSCLC patients reviewed, 13 with CW involvement were identified. Of these 13 patients, 10 had primary T3N0 NSCLC and 3 had recurrent NSCLC. Their median age was 78 years, the Karnofsky performance status was 80, the Charlson score was 3, and the tumor diameter was 4.0 cm. The 1-year local, locoregional, and distant control rates were 89%, 62%, 80%, respectively. Of 9 patients with pretreatment tumor-related CW pain, 7 (78%) reported improvement after treatment. Regarding toxicity, 2 of 13 (15%) experienced new or worsening CW pain (both grade ≤ 2); 3 cases (23%) of grade 1-2 radiation pneumonitis developed. No patient exhibited late skin changes or fibrosis.

SBRT for NSCLC involving the CW was well tolerated, with promising early rates of tumor control and no grade ≥ 3 toxicity. Tumor-related CW pain was relieved in most patients, and the treatment-related toxicity rates appeared acceptable. Further investigation in this subset of patients with NSCLC is warranted.