Treatment of High-Risk Patients with Stage I Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

A significant proportion of patients with stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are considered at high risk for complications or mortality after lobectomy. The American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS) previously published important considerations in determining which patients are considered high risk. The current objective was to evaluate treatment options and important factors to consider during treatment selection for these high-risk patients.

The AATS Clinical Practice Standards Committee assembled an expert panel to review treatment options for high-risk patients with stage I NSCLC. After a systematic search of the literature identification of lung-nodule-related factors to consider in treatment selection, the panel developed expert consensus statements and vignettes using a modified Delphi method. A 75% consensus was required for approval.

The expert panel identified sublobar resection, image-guided thermal ablation (IGTA), and stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR), which is also known as stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) or stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), as modalities applicable in the treatment of high-risk patients with stage I NSCLC. Fourteen statements and 5 vignettes illustrating clinical scenarios were formulated, revised, and ultimately approved.

The choice of which modality (sublobar resection, SABR, or IGTA) is optimal in high-risk patients with stage I NSCLC is complex, but a surgical approach is generally favored when deemed safe. SABR and IGTA are reasonable options in select patients, with SABR being the likely next choice in nonsurgical patients. If possible, obtaining a biopsy is very important prior non-surgical treatment. A multi-disciplinary review of patient and tumor characteristics is essential for achieving an optimal decision. The clinical treatment decision should also take patient perspectives, preferences, and quality of life into consideration.