Paper - Review

DOI: 10.1038/nrdp.2015.9

Abstract

Lung cancer
→ one of the most frequently diagnosed cancers
→ the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide

NSCLC
← non-small-cell lung cancer
← a heterogeneous class of tumors
→ represents approximately 85% ← of all new lung cancer diagnoses

❗: Tobacco smoking
→ remains the main risk factor → for developing this disease
→ 1⃣ radon exposure 2⃣ air pollution

Most patients
→ are diagnosed ←with advanced-stage disease
∵ 1⃣ inadequate screening programs 2⃣ late onset of clinical symptoms
∴ Patients have a very poor prognosis

Several diagnostic approaches
→ can be used → for NSCLC
← 1⃣ X-ray 2⃣ CT 3⃣ PET imaging 4⃣ histological examination ← of tumor biopsies

Accurate staging of the cancer
→ is required → to determine the optimal management strategy
← 1⃣ surgery 2⃣ radiochemotherapy 3⃣ immunotherapy 4⃣ targeted approaches
← with 1⃣ anti-angiogenic monoclonal antibodies 2⃣ tyrosine kinase inhibitors
← if tumors harbor oncogene mutations

Several of these driver mutations
→ have been identified

Therapy
→ continues → to advance to tackle acquired resistance problems

Palliative care
→ has a central role
← in 1⃣ patient management 2⃣ greatly improves quality of life

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