Adjuvant treatments for non-small cell lung cancer

Abstract

Surgery remains the cornerstone for the curative treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Long-term survival depends on different prognostic factors including the tumour extent (the T and N stage) and the quality of the surgical resection (complete vs. incomplete resection, the type of mediastinal exploration). Nevertheless, only one-third of all operated patients will be metastases alive 5 years after the surgical resection. Failures are due to a loco-regional relapse, distant metastases or a second primary cancer related to the long story of tobacco abuse. The pattern of failure analysis should decide on the type of adjuvant treatment: a loco regional modality or a form of systemic treatment such as chemotherapy or immunotherapy.