What is the treatment of choice for non-small cell lung cancer?

The treatment of choice for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is surgery, particularly in cases where the cancer is diagnosed at an early stage and has not spread to distant sites. Surgical options typically include lobectomy or pneumonectomy, which involve removing the affected lobe or lung respectively. The primary goal of surgery is to achieve complete tumor resection and maximize the chance for cure.

For patients with localized disease, surgery offers the best possibility of long-term survival compared to other treatment modalities. In earlier stages, it is often combined with adjuvant therapy, such as chemotherapy, to address any microscopic disease that may remain after surgery. In cases where the cancer is more advanced, or if surgery is not feasible due to the patient’s health or the tumor's location, other treatments such as radiation, chemotherapy, or immunotherapy may be considered. However, in the absence of systemic disease and with operable tumors, surgery remains the gold standard for NSCLC.