What Is the Best Approach for High-Risk or Inoperable NSCLC?

However, despite all this, there is still no clear-cut solution to making the decision in patients for whom sublobar resection is possible.

For the high-risk patient, in whom lobectomy is not appropriate, “RFA or SBRT may be clinically equivalent to resection because they may be associated with a lower complication profile and quicker return to normal function and quality of life. Randomized studies are needed to determine whether this is true, but these studies must be limited to high-risk patients rather than lobectomy candidates until further data are available,” concluded Dr. Fernando.

None of the authors of the referenced articles reported relevant conflicts. A portion of Dr. Pennathur’s research was funded by research grants from RITA Medical/Angiodynamics to the University of Pittsburgh.