This Cochrane review protocol outlines plans to evaluate whether once-daily or twice-daily radiotherapy, when combined with chemotherapy, offers better survival outcomes for individuals with limited-stage small-cell lung cancer (LS-SCLC). Given the rapidly proliferative nature of SCLC and its strong association with smoking, radiotherapy timing and frequency may significantly influence treatment response. The protocol highlights that LS-SCLC, defined within TNM stages I–III, often requires precise chemoradiation strategies due to mediastinal involvement and high metastatic potential.
The review will synthesize evidence comparing both radiotherapy schedules to assess benefits and potential harms within the context of concurrent chemoradiation. As survival in LS-SCLC may be affected by treatment interval and toxicity risk, selecting the optimal dosing schedule remains clinically significant. The protocol emphasizes the need for rigorous evaluation, recognizing that current literature does not yet clarify whether once-daily or twice-daily delivery provides superior long-term outcomes.