Quality Surgical Care and Outcomes for Patients With Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer

Abstract

The curative potential of surgical resection for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) was established nearly a century ago, with pneumonectomy initially constituting the primary operative approach. As surgical techniques became more refined, 2 lobectomy when feasible became the standard of care 3 and less invasive techniques including video-assisted thoracic surgery 4 and robotic-assisted thoracoscopic surgery have reduced surgical morbidity. Despite the evolving role of systemic therapy in the treatment of early-stage NSCLC, now including cytotoxic chemotherapy, 6 targeted therapy, 7 and immunotherapy, 8,9 surgical resection still plays a critical role in curative treatment.