Radiotherapy of non-small cell lung cancer

External-beam radiotherapy has been an important part of NSCLC management. The role of radiotherapy as an adjunct to surgery is questionable. Preoperative radiotherapy does not provide notable benefit and has generally been abandoned. Postoperative radiotherapy results in decreased risk of locoregional recurrence but does not increase survival. Definitive thoracic irradiation has traditionally been considered the mainstay of treatment in inoperable stage III disease, however curative potential of this method is poor. Despite recent developments including sophisticated radiotherapy techniques and combined modality approaches, the progress is only modest at best. In advanced NSCLC radiotherapy represents the most effective tool in palliation of local symptoms and should be considered as the first-choice management in the majority of patients.