Perioperative chemotherapy for non-small-cell lung carcinoma: problems and solutions

Lung cancer (LC) is the most frequent malignant tumor and leading cause of death among oncological diseases worldwide. Mortality due to lung cancer is comparable with cumulative mortality due to prostate, colon and pancreatic cancer [10]. About 85% cases of LC are non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). Although the operation is considered as the optimal treatment, only 25-30% cases of these tumors are potentially resectable. Five-year survival after surgical treatment for stage IA of NSCLC is 73% and for stage IIIA - is 25% [3]. Only 31-40% of patients who need adjuvant treatment receive it [5].