Induction or concomitant chemotherapy and radiotherapy for non-small-cell lung cancer: myth or reality

If radiation therapy was often considered to be a classical treatment for locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer, the overall results were quite dismal. Failures were related both to local recurrences and distant metastases. During the last year, several studies have clearly suggested that combining radiation with chemotherapy given as an induction program or concurrently has led to some long term survival benefits. This paper reviews briefly the data available. Additional studies are required to better identify the optimal schedule.