Review Article: Postoperative Radiotherapy in Resected Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Current Status and Enduring Challenges in 2024.

Lung cancer remains a significant global health burden, with high incidence and mortality rates. Surgical resection followed by adjuvant systemic therapy is the standard of care for operable early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and resectable stage IIIA disease. Adjuvant treatment regimens vary based on molecular and histological characteristics, with chemotherapy plus immunotherapy or targeted therapy being common approaches. The role of postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) in NSCLC management has been contentious, particularly following a meta-analysis suggesting potential harm, particularly in certain disease stages. However, recent evidence indicates improved survival outcomes in stage IIIA N2 NSCLC patients treated with modern PORT techniques, prompting further investigation into its role. This literature review aims to present updated efficacy and safety data regarding PORT in the adjuvant treatment of stage IIIA operable NSCLC, providing insights for clinical decision-making. Keywords: Guidelines, metaanalysis, clinical trials, lung cancer, postoperative radiotherapy.