Abstract
The article describes the changes in the basic characteristics of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) observed in the recent decades. 5-year survival rates increased by cca 50% between 1998 and 2009, the number of patients diagnosed in TNM stages I. or II. decreased from cca 40% in 1977 to less than 20% in 2009 and the proportion of adenocarcinomas increased, becoming now more common than the epidermoid type - 33% vs. 32%. It also lists positive results of lung cancer screening using Low Dose Spiral CT (LDSCT) in the National Lung Screening Trial (NLST), in which LDSCT performed in a 3 year interval showed a 20% reduction in mortality of the high-risk individuals in comparison to a chest skiagram performed annually.
The article further summarises the opinions on the therapeutic modalities according to the newest worldwide recommendations NICE, ESMO, NCCN. At last, the treatment of various TNM stages is described, in compliance with the newest Czech recommendations for NSCLC treatment available at www.pneumologie.cz and according to the "Blue Book" by the Czech Oncologic Society.