Progress of Postoperative Adjuvant Chemotherapy in Stage I Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

Abstract

The morbidity and mortality of lung cancer rank the first place among all the malignant tumor. According to the histopathological characteristics, lung cancer is divided into non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer. Only 20% patients diagnosed with NSCLC have the chance for surgery while their 5-yr overall survival is about 30%-60%. The therapeutic outcome of surgery alone is not satisfying. Adjuvant chemotherapy after surgical resection in stage II-IIIa lung cancer showed efficacy in many randomized clinical trials, but its role in stage I disease remains controversial. The choice of appropriate chemotherapy candidates, the selection of chemotherapy regimens and the research progress on biomarker are mainly discussed in this review.

DOI: 10.3779/j.issn.1009-3419.2015.06.08