Results of induction chemotherapy followed by surgical resection in patients with stage IIIA (N2) non-small cell lung cancer: the importance of the nodal down-staging after chemotherapy

Abstract

induction chemotherapy with cisplatin and gemcitabine resulted in major tumour regression in a large percentage of patients with clinical N2 disease. In responding patients both the complete respectability rate and survival were higher when compared to historical controls. Survival was significantly better in patients down-staged to a mediastinal negative disease.