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BackgroundRadical hypofractionated thoracic radiotherapy is the most commonly used radiotherapy schedule for inoperable non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in the United Kingdom, despite a lack of level I evidence to support its use.PurposeTo supplement existing published retrospective data with a mature data series and provide further evidence to support the use of this schedule in routine clinical practice.Materials and methodsRetrospective analysis of all inoperable NSCLC cases treated with radical hypofractionated radiotherapy with or without induction chemotherapy in the North Wales Cancer Treatment Centre between 2001 and 2011.ResultsOf the 222 patients, 209 (94%) received 55 Gy in 20 fractions (#) and 13 (6%) received 52·5 Gy in 20#. Induction chemotherapy was administered in 121 (55%) cases. The median survival of 28·6 months (95% confidence interval 24·2–32·5) is comparable with previously published survival outcomes for this patient group.ConclusionThe growing body of evidence for this schedule, confirming survival outcomes comparable with internationally accepted results, is sufficient to support its future use in inoperable NSCLC.

Introduction Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the pancreas is a rare tumor with poor prognosis and is found in the literature only as case reports. The optimal management course remains poorly defined. We present a case of primary basaloid squamous cell carcinoma of the pancreas metastatic to the liver, which was treated with surgery and systemic chemotherapy. Our patient survived for 15 months: the longest survival reported in the literature to date. Case presentation A 70-year-old Caucasian man presented to hospital with a three-month history of weight loss, pruritus and icterus. Imaging studies confirmed the presence of an operable mass lesion in the head of the pancreas. Following a pancreaticoduodenectomy, histology results led us to make a diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma. Postoperative restaging showed multiple metastases in the liver. He underwent palliative systemic chemotherapy with cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil achieving partial response and an excellent quality of life. He then went on to start second-line chemotherapy, but unfortunately died of sepsis soon thereafter. Conclusions This case report emphasizes that achievement of a worthwhile objective and symptomatic palliative response is possible using platinum-based chemotherapy in squamous cell carcinoma of the pancreas.