European lung cancer congress 2026 - the thoracic radiation oncologist's view

This summary statement of the European Lung Cancer Conference (ELCC) 2026 presents an overview of current debates in thoracic oncology from the radiation therapy perspective. A major topic of interest in small cell lung cancer (SCLC) were bispecific T-cell engagers (biTe) in extensive stage carcinomas, especially the use of Tarlatamab. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) was discussed from the viewpoint of multidisciplinary decision making as investigated in the MDT-Bridge study. Another focus was placed on platform drug-RT trials, such as the CONCORDE study. As for thymomas and thymic cancers, the retrospective evidence available to date was summed up with three ongoing trials for PORT expected to finish recruitment within the next five years. The role of SBRT in oligometastatic disease as local ablative treatment, either as a strategy to delay the shift to the next line of systemic treatment or - upfront - in order to block oligoprogression, was discussed.