[Prognostic factors and therapeutic strategy in non-small-cell bronchial carcinoma]

The choice of treatment in non-small cell lung cancer depends on the extent of the disease. Stage of disease is not sufficiently accurate to predict outcome in NSCLC. The influence of patient and treatment characteristics on survival are reviewed. Surgery remains the cornerstone of treatment for stages I and II, and in some cases for stage IIIa. Investigational new prognostic factors such as K-ras mutations, Her2/Neu, BCL-2 protein, p53-expression/mutation may possibly define patient populations with poorer prognosis, who might benefit from a more intensive treatment. The treatment strategy of the university hospital of Marburg is presented.