Treatment in resectable, locally advanced NSCLC: which is the best approach?

Abstract

Non-small-cell lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Surgery remains the cornerstone of treatment for localized, resectable lung cancer, although advanced stages are associated with a high risk of developing distant metastases. Large randomized trials have demonstrated an improvement in survival with additional chemotherapy administered before or after surgical intervention. Several meta-analyses have shown improved survival for adjuvant and neoadjuvant chemotherapy. This review discusses the data on adjuvant and neoadjuvant chemotherapy for resectable non-small-cell lung cancer and focuses especially on the advantages and disadvantages of induction treatment of operable stage IIIA N2 diseases.

Keywords::

• adjuvant
• chemotherapy
• combined modality treatment
• neoadjuvant
• non-small-cell lung cancer
• radiotherapy
• surgical resection

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.