Prognoztic factors in non-small cell lung cancer: Review

Abstract

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality in both genders worldwide. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) represents about 80% of all lung cancers. Less than one-third of these patients present at an early stage, and substantial relapses are observed despite curative surgical treatment. For the most part, recurrences occur at extrathoracic sites as distant metastases. The remaining patients have advanced disease and treatment is only marginally effective in such patients. Thus, prognoztic factors continue to play a critical role in the prediction of outcome in such patients. Early investigations that mostly focused on clinical characteristics of the tumor and the patient were followed by a number of clinical laboratory tests. Recently, studies that investigate the prognoztic significance of novel factors related to cellular and molecular biology of lung cancer have increased. The aim of this study was to review the literature with regard to prognoztic factors in patients with NSCLC. Copyright © 2007 by Türkiye Klinikleri.