Radiation Therapy in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer

Abstract

The management of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) varies according to stage. Surgical resection is reserved for operable patients with early-stage NSCLC, while high-dose target radiation—stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT)—is reserved for patients whose comorbidities prohibit them from a major surgical procedure. The treatment of locally advanced NSCLC (LA-NSCLC) is stratified according to resectability. Those with resectable disease may require additional treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation, while patients with unresectable disease will require definitive chemoradiation therapy with adjuvant durvalumab. Patients with limited metastatic disease benefit from the combination of SBRT and systemic therapy.