Optimal radiotherapy for non-small-cell lung cancer: Current progress and future challenges

Radiotherapy has a key role in treating lung cancer. Advances in physics and computer technology have improved radiation delivery systems. With innovations in the radiation therapy of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), new strategies have emerged, such as intensity-modulated radiation therapy, stereotactic body radiation therapy, and particle therapy. Compared with previous methods, these newer technologies can deliver even higher doses precisely to the tumor while minimizing doses to normal tissues, which should lead to better tumor control with less toxicity. In patients with stage I NSCLC, stereotactic body radiation therapy is highly effective and may achieve local control and survival equivalent to that achieved with surgery. In patients with stage III NSCLC, dose escalation has been investigated using three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy, intensity-modulated radiation therapy, and particle therapy. The results from ongoing randomized trials on both patient populations are awaited. It is important to generate new hypotheses and to explore newer radiotherapy approaches to overcome NSCLC. © The Japanese Association for Thoracic Surgery 2012.