Results of clinical trials of multimodality therapy for resectable nonsmall-cell lung cancer.
More than 50% of patients presenting with so-called early stage or surgical disease nonsmall-cell lung cancer will die of their cancer despite resection. Over the years, postoperative efforts to improve the survival of these patients have been disappointing. There is presently a lot of enthusiasm surrounding the strategy of preoperative or induction chemotherapy in the treatment of such patients. Worldwide, at least 4 large-scale ongoing cooperative group trials are evaluating this question at the present time. Only by completing these trials in a timely manner will we know if induction chemotherapy should become the standard of care for all patients with surgical disease nonsmall-cell lung cancer.
Vallières
Eric
E
Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle 98195, USA.
D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011013:Pneumonectomy; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D012307:Risk Factors