The Role of Radiotherapy in the Management of Non Small Cell Lung Cancers

Non small cells carcinoma represents the most frequent histological subtype in lung cancers.

We report, through a review of literature, the indications of radiotherapy in patients presenting with non metastatic lung non small cell carcinoma.

Postoperative radiotherapy seemed to improve local control, without any benefit on overall survival. Therapeutic indications for N2 stage are still controversial. Concomitant radiotherapy and chemotherapy is the standard of care in non operable non small cell lung cancer. Chemotherapy protocols should include platinium. Stereotaxic radiotherapy is indicated for patients with non operable small tumors.

Improvement in delivering systems in radiotherapy improves the treatment results in non small cell lung cancers.

Radiotherapy has an important role in the treatment of this entity. Conformal radiotherapy tested dose escalation with improvement in local control and preserved organs at risk.