Abstract

GARCIA RODRIGUEZ, Miguel Emilio; ARMAS PEREZ, Bárbaro Agustín  and  ARMAS MOREDO, Karina. Update on treatment of stage IIIA non-small cell lung cancer with N2 disease. Rev Cubana Cir [online]. 2012, vol.51, n.3, pp.217-233. ISSN 0034-7493.

The patients suffering stage IIIA non-small cell lung cancer with N2 ganglionic diseases are common and considered as an heterogeneous group by many physicians. Their treatment arouses controversies. For the purpose of making an updated literature review on this topic and defining the treatment options for these patients on this stage III, a number of full articles and of abstracts was searched on several database (Medline, Cochrane, Pubmed, Ebsco, Hinari). To this end, the End Note locator was used with the following English words and their respective Spanish translations: lung cancer, stage IIIa, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, adjuvant treatment, surgery, lymphoadenectomy. The optimal management of patients classified as stage IIIA (N2) remains one of the most controversial areas in the care of patients who suffered non-small cell lung cancer, probably due to the wide pathological variations occurring in this stage. Therefore, it is accepted to apply surgical treatment as first option in those patients presenting with minimal N2 disease, and on the other hand, the definite treatment with chemoradiotherapy or presurgical induction treatment in selected cases.

Keywords : lung cancer; IIIA stage; surgical treatment; mediastinal resection; radiotherapy; chemotherapy.