How to evaluate the risk/benefit of trimodality therapy in locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer

H Kunitoh; K Suzuki

doi:10.1038/sj.bjc.6603751

How to evaluate the risk/benefit of trimodality therapy in locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer

Br J Cancer. 2007 May 21;96(10):1498-503. doi: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6603751. Epub 2007 May 1.

Authors

H Kunitoh¹, K Suzuki

Affiliation

¹ Department of Internal Medicine and Thoracic Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital, 5-1-1 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan. hkkunito@ncc.go.jp

Abstract

The trimodality approach represented by concurrent chemoradiotherapy followed by surgical resection is a highly effective, but potentially toxic therapy for locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In this review, we discuss the current status of this therapy in patients with mediastinal node-positive (N2) stage III NSCLC or superior sulcus tumor, and present an overview of the principles for optimisation of the risk/benefit. Numerous clinical questions remain, and enrolment of patients into well-designed clinical trials should be encouraged.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Algorithms
Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / adverse effects
Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / classification
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / pathology
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / therapy*
Combined Modality Therapy* / adverse effects
Disease Progression
Evaluation Studies as Topic*
Humans
Lung Neoplasms / classification
Lung Neoplasms / pathology
Lung Neoplasms / therapy*
Pulmonary Surgical Procedures / adverse effects
Radiotherapy, Adjuvant / adverse effects
Risk Assessment