title: Evaluation and treatment of high-risk patients with early-stage lung cancer.
abstract: Standard therapy for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer is lobectomy for patients who are able to tolerate such surgery. However, the risk of postoperative morbidity is not trivial, with a 30% to 40% incidence of postoperative complications and a 1% to 5% incidence of operative mortality. Some patients, though technically resectable, refuse surgery or are considered medically inoperable because of insufficient respiratory reserve, cardiovascular disease, or general frailty. This group is considered either "high risk" or "medically inoperable."
authors: Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, 171 Ashley Avenue, Charleston, SC 29425, USA.
authors: Hiren J
authors: HJ
authors: Mehta
authors: Christopher
authors: C
authors: Ross
authors: Gerard A
authors: GA
authors: Silvestri
authors: Roy H
authors: RH
authors: Decker
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D017115:Catheter Ablation; D003657:Decision Making; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D057240:Patient Preference; D011013:Pneumonectomy; D011300:Preoperative Care; D016634:Radiosurgery; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012306:Risk