Non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): current status and future prospects.

No Thumbnail Available
Date
2004-07-24
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
The incidence of lung cancer is rising dramatically and it is now the commonest cause of mortality and morbidity not only in the industrialised countries, but in developing nations like India as well. Tobacco smoking has consistently been demonstrated to be an important aetiological factor, though lung cancer occurs in non-smokers also. In spite of great advances in radiological and molecular diagnostic techniques, the ideal screening marker for early detection of lung cancer has still not been found. Histological diagnosis and staging is essential for selecting the mode of therapy in patients with lung cancer. Stages I and II are amenable to surgery. However, advanced stage III and IV need an individualised combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. With a better understanding of the cellular mechanisms operating in carcinogenesis, newer target specific modalities are being developed and tested in order to stem this disease, which threatens to assume epidemic proportions.
Description
85 references.
Keywords
Citation
Pathak AK, Bhutani M, Mohan A, Guleria R, Bal S, Kochupillai V. Non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): current status and future prospects. The Indian Journal of Chest Diseases & Allied Sciences. 2004 Jul-Sep; 46(3): 191-203