[Adjuvant chemotherapy for non small cell lung cancer]

Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Its incidence is directly related to tobacco use. The patients can be classified in three large groups: those with localized or resectable disease; those with locally advanced disease and lastly those with metastatic disease. Except for anecdotal cases, in the first group cure is possible. For these patients surgery is the treatment of choice. However, with the appearance of effective systemic chemotherapy, well designed cooperative studies and a better understanding of the biological behaviour, overall survival has improved for the first time in a hundred years. The role of adjuvant chemotherapy is a true option after a decade of clinical trials. The objective of this article is to perform a review of the available evidence which has made cisplatin based combinations is the treatment of choice after surgery for stages II-IIIA non-small cell lung cancer.