title: Narcissus, the Beam, and lung cancer.
abstract: In the management of lung cancer, the rules of engagement of stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) are not clearly defined. The potential for SABR to affect to an unprecedented level current protocols and in all disease stages emerges vehemently from the literature. However, in a time when the role of surgery is being reassessed, surgeons need to take a closer look at the evidence for the use of SABR in lung cancer patients and clearly define their indisputable role within the context of multidisciplinary teams. The myth of Narcissus exemplified in the absolute masterpiece by Caravaggio seems to represent an ideal metaphor to explain the ever-evolving interaction between surgery and SABR in lung cancer management.
authors.affiliation: Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Thoracic Surgical and Medical Oncology, Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Fondazione Pascale, IRCSS, Naples, Italy. Electronic address: g.rocco@istitutotumori.na.it.
authors.forename: Gaetano
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rocco
mesh_terms: D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D049669:History, 16th Century; D049670:History, 17th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049690:History, Ancient; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000266:history / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D019365:Metaphor; D009229:Mythology; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010151:Paintings / Q000266:history; D016634:Radiosurgery / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D066231:Surgeons; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: early-stage lung cancer; lung cancer management policies; stereotactic ablative radiotherapy