Stereotactic body radiation therapy versus sublobar resection for stage I NSCLC

•Sublobar resection and SBRT for stage I NSCLC have not been compared in randomized trials.•In our center’s experience, these modalities had similar rates of local tumor control.•Overall survival favored surgery, but the surgical cohort had less co-morbidities.•After correcting for baseline imbalances, overall survival was similar.•SBRT and sublobar resection are both suitable options for stage I NSCLC.