Induction Therapy for Clinical Stage I Lung Cancer

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains a leading cause of death and will cause approximately 163,500 deaths in the United States in 2005. While patients presenting with localized disease have the best chance of being cured, they represent a minority of patients and unfortunately have a significant likelihood of developing recurrent disease after treatment and ultimately dying of their disease. The 5-year survival for patients presenting with clinical stage I lung cancer ranges from 38% to 61%; for those with pathological stage IA disease, the survival is 67%.