Modification and implementation of NCCN guidelines on non-small cell lung cancer in the Middle East and North Africa region.
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.
Jazieh
Abdul-Rahman
AR
Department of Oncology and Pathology, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. jazieha@ngha.med.sa
Bamefleh
Hanaa
H
Demirkazik
Ahmet
A
Gaafar
Rabab Mohamed
RM
Geara
Fady B
FB
Javaid
Mansur
M
Khader
Jamal
J
Khodadad
Kian
K
Omar
Walid
W
Saadeddin
Ahmed
A
Sabe
Hassan Al
HA
Shadmehr
Mohammad Behgam
MB
El Sherif
Amgad
A
Uddin
Najam
N
Jahanzeb
Mohammad
M
Ettinger
David
D
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