Concurrent systemic therapy with radiotherapy for the treatment of poor-risk patients with unresectable stage III non-small cell lung cancer - a review of the literature.

Abstract

There is no consensus on the therapeutic approach to poor-risk patients with unresectable stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), despite the increasing number of these patients in current clinical practice. In terms of survival, the combination of concurrent systemic therapy with standard radiotherapy might be advantageous over radiotherapy alone. The purpose of this review is to ascertain the feasibility, safety and efficacy of the combination of concurrent systemic therapy and standard radiotherapy in these patients.