Adjuvant therapy in completely resected non-small-cell lung cancer

Curr Oncol Rep. 2003 Jul;5(4):318-25. doi: 10.1007/s11912-003-0074-y.

Abstract

Less than 20% to 25% of patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) present with stage I or II disease and are best treated by surgical resection. Long-term survival in early NSCLC remains poor. The 5-year survival rate of patients who undergo complete surgical resection is only 40% to 50%. The majority of relapses after surgery are distant metastases; the risk of a local recurrence after complete resection is less than 10%. Postoperative treatments, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or both modalities together, have been evaluated widely, but unfortunately none of these treatments have demonstrated any significant impact on survival. Data regarding large-scale adjuvant chemotherapy trials that were closed for accrual almost 4 to 5 years ago will be fully available before the end of the year. It is hoped that a specific meta-analysis will be performed on the basis of these data.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / mortality
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / surgery
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / therapy*
  • Chemotherapy, Adjuvant
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / mortality
  • Lung Neoplasms / surgery
  • Lung Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Male
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Pneumonectomy / methods
  • Radiotherapy, Adjuvant
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Risk Assessment
  • Survival Rate
  • Treatment Outcome