[Epidemiology, prognostic factors, staging, and treatment of non-small cell lung cancer]

Abstract

Non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the leading cause of cancer death among the world. The incidence of adenocarcinoma is rising while squamous cell carcinoma decreases. The biology of NSCLC is characterized by a multistep carcinogenesis. During the last years, changing in the management of NSCLC have occurred. The lobectomy and mediastinal lymph node dissection are now the references. Postoperative radiotherapy has failed to improve survival, but hyperfractionated radiotherapy seems to be interesting for inoperable patients. The platin-based chemotherapy is now considered as standard treatment for stage IV. Gene therapy and angiogenesis inhibitors are currently under development.