title: Tnm independent prognostic factors in lung cancer.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Divisione di Chirurgia Generale Toracica, Università Cattolica del S. Cuore, Policlinico "A. Gemelli", Roma, Italy. kenjikawamukai@yahoo.it
authors.forename: Kenji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kawamukai
authors.forename: Alfredo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cesario
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Margaritora
authors.forename: Elisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Meacci
authors.forename: Alessio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Piraino
authors.forename: Maria Letizia
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Vita
authors.forename: Adele
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tessitore
authors.forename: Giacomo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cusumano
authors.forename: Pierluigi
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Granone
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging / Q000379:methods*; D011379:Prognosis; D015996:Survival Rate