title: Modification and implementation of NCCN guidelines on non-small cell lung cancer in the Middle East and North Africa region.
abstract: A lung cancer committee from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region was established to modify the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines) on Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer to create a platform for standard care in the region. The committee comprised different experts in thoracic oncology from the region, including the disciplines of medical and clinical oncology, radiation oncology, thoracic surgery, pulmonary medicine, radiology, and pathology. The committee reviewed version 2 of the 2009 NCCN Guidelines on Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer and identified recommendations requiring modification for the region using published evidence and relevant experience. These suggested modifications were discussed among the group and with a United States-based NCCN expert for approval. The recommended modifications, with justification and references, were categorized based on the NCCN Guidelines flow. This article describes these recommended modifications. The process of adapting the first NCCN-based guidelines in the region is a step toward helping to improve lung cancer care in the region and encouraging networking and collaboration.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology and Pathology, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. jazieha@ngha.med.sa
authors.forename: Abdul-Rahman
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Jazieh
authors.forename: Hanaa
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bamefleh
authors.forename: Ahmet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Demirkazik
authors.forename: Rabab Mohamed
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Gaafar
authors.forename: Fady B
authors.initials: FB
authors.lastname: Geara
authors.forename: Mansur
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Javaid
authors.forename: Jamal
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Khader
authors.forename: Kian
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Khodadad
authors.forename: Walid
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Omar
authors.forename: Ahmed
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Saadeddin
authors.forename: Hassan Al
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Sabe
authors.forename: Mohammad Behgam
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Shadmehr
authors.forename: Amgad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: El Sherif
authors.forename: Najam
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Uddin
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jahanzeb
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ettinger
mesh_terms: D000352:Africa, Northern / Q000453:epidemiology; D018912:Arabs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001999:Bronchoscopy; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D017567:Karnofsky Performance Status; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008877:Middle East / Q000453:epidemiology; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010166:Palliative Care; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014481:United States