Description
Non-small cell lung is the most common histological sub-group of lung cancer, responsible for around 75% of cases. Although less than 5% of patients are alive at 5 years, approximately 20%-30% may be eligible for a radical treatment approach. Adjuvant chemotherapy may confer a small survival benefit. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy has been shown to downstage localised disease, allowing a potentially curable operation or radical radiotherapy. Chemotherapy is now accepted as a useful palliative approach, prolonging survival and improving quality of life (QoL). The novel agents vinorelbine, gemcitabine, paclitaxel and docetaxel have shown significant activity both as single agents and in combination with platinum analogues. The optimum
combination is yet to be defined. Second-line chemotherapy in particular with docetaxel) is now accepted as standard practice and has been approved by the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE).
