BACKGROUNDAt the time of being diagnosed as non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), 65%-70% of the patients are at the advanced stage (stage III, IV). It is believed that the multi-modality therapy has a better efficacy than mono-therapy. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of multi-modality therapy based on surgery in advanced NSCLC.

METHODSThe clinicopathological data were retrospectively reviewed from 51 stage IIIB-IV NSCLC patients, who underwent surgery and multiple modality therapy during 1995 to 2003 in the department of Thoracic Surgery of PUMC Hospital. The survival of patients was analyzed.

RESULTSThe overall 1- and 3-year survival rate was 86.35%±5.21% and 52.96%±8.83%, respectively. The median survival time was 37.0 months.

CONCLUSIONSThe multi-modality therapy based on surgery could improve the survival of operable patients with advanced NSCLC.