Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in France. Nearly 80% of lung tumors are non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC). Surgery is the best curative approach, but it only concerns 30% of NSCLC, since the diagnosis is frequently made in patients with locally advanced or metastatic disease. Even when surgery is performed relapse occurs in up to 50% of patients. Several adjuvant trials have been led in the late 90's after an individual data-based meta-analysis suggested a 5% survival benefit at 5 years. Among those, the IALT study, with 1 867 patients included, confirms the benefit of post-operative chemotherapy in resected NSCLC. In this article, the current status of adjuvant chemotherapy is reviewed, and future prospects are discussed.
Copyright John Libbey Eurotext 2003.