Non-small-cell lung cancer--stalemate or progress?

Lung cancer is a major health problem, and each year the overall rate of death from this tobacco-inflicted disease increases. In a few countries, including the United States, the death rate has decreased slightly, reflecting changing attitudes toward cigarette smoking. Non–small-cell lung cancer, which includes adenocarcinoma, squamous-cell carcinoma, and large-cell carcinoma, accounts for 75 to 80 percent of all new cases of lung cancer; the remainder are due to small-cell lung cancer. In patients with non–small-cell lung cancer, the possibility of cure depends mainly on their suitability for surgical resection. Unfortunately, at the time of diagnosis, only about 30 percent . . .