[Lung cancer surgery with combined resection of the chest wall]

Lung cancer invading the chest wall is classified as T3 in the TNM classification, and surgical resection is the first choice of treatment if it is resectable. Factors affecting survival are still unclear except for the completeness of resection and degree of lymph node involvement. Recently, multidisciplinary treatments that include induction chemoradiation followed by surgery for superior sulcus non-small cell lung cancers have been reported with favorable results. Similarly, there is an ongoing phase II study of preoperative chemoradiotherapy for lung cancer with chest wall invasion, the results of which are expected soon. Based on recent evidence, platinum-based adjuvant chemotherapy after complete resection should be considered. We present strategies and techniques for radical combined resection of the chest wall, especially resection of the rib heads with chisels, and reconstruction with prostheses.