Seeking improved outcome in the curative treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer

Progress is being made in the treatment of patients with early (stage I-III) and unresectable locally advanced (stage III) non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The primary modality of treatment is complete surgical resection of the malignant growths. However, not all patients are appropriate candidates for surgery, and the majority who undergo surgical resection have a poor survival. Recurrence and death are most commonly due to systemic failure, indicating micrometastatic disease. Treatments targeted at eradicating micrometastatic disease, such as adjuvant therapy, induction chemotherapy, concurrent chemoradiotherapy, and intensified radiotherapy, are currently being explored as a means to improve outcome in the curative treatment of NSCLC.