Tnm independent prognostic factors in lung cancer.
Large studies have demonstrated that TNM staging system is the most consistent prognostic factor in patients with non small cell lung carcinoma. However, because patients within the same stage may have very different survival, better prognostic information is needed. The recent progress in molecular biology has allowed the analysis of proteins and genes involved in cancer development. To date, more than 150 different prognostic factors affecting survival in patients with lung cancer have been discovered and extensively studied. Despite the encouraging prognostic results in angiogenesis markers, there is not yet a molecular marker validated in large prospective trials that has major independent predictive prognostic value.
Kawamukai
Kenji
K
Divisione di Chirurgia Generale Toracica, Università Cattolica del S. Cuore, Policlinico "A. Gemelli", Roma, Italy. kenjikawamukai@yahoo.it
Cesario
Alfredo
A
Margaritora
Stefano
S
Meacci
Elisa
E
Piraino
Alessio
A
Vita
Maria Letizia
ML
Tessitore
Adele
A
Cusumano
Giacomo
G
Granone
Pierluigi
P
D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging / Q000379:methods*; D011379:Prognosis; D015996:Survival Rate