Surgical management of non-small-cell lung cancer

Surgery plays a major role in the management of patients with lung cancer. Surgery is not only the main curative treatment modality in patients with early-stage lung cancer but it also has a significant role in the initial workup for the diagnosis and staging of lung cancer. This article describes the surgical management of patients with lung cancer. Surgical resection for lung cancer is still regarded as the most effective method for controlling the primary tumor, provided it is resectable for cure and the risks of the procedure are low. The 5-year survival rare following complete resection (R0) of a lung cancer is stage dependent [Table 1]. ([1-3]) Incomplete resection (R1, R2) rarely, if ever, cures the patient.