Dr. Lazar on Risk Stratification for Chemotherapy and Adjuvant Therapy in Lung Cancer

John F. Lazar, MD, general thoracic surgeon, director, Thoracic Robotics, MedStar Washington Hospital Center, ​MedStar Health, discusses risk stratification for chemotherapy and adjuvant therapy in lung cancer.

Current risk stratification is based on the stage of the cancer and recommendations from the National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines, Lazar explains. After initial stratification, patients are presented at a multidisciplinary tumor board where surgical, medical, and radiation thoracic oncologists can review their case and weigh in on optimal treatment strategies, Lazar says. 

Treatment strategies in early-stage lung cancer remain controversial because although most patients are eligible for surgery, their outcomes in the adjuvant setting are important. Whether patients should undergo radiation therapy remains the subject of debate in the field, Lazar concludes.