Clinical management of stage III non-small cell lung cancer in India: An expert consensus statement

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is considered the most common type of lung cancer (>80% of all lung cancers); patients are often diagnosed at advanced stages of the disease. The management of NSCLC is considered challenging owing to variations in size, an extension of the tumors, involvement patterns, and classification. Although adequate literature and guidelines are available on the management of NSCLC in several countries, an Indian perspective on stage III NSCLC management is lacking. We used the modified Delphi approach to form consensus statements. A thorough literature search was done. The authors then convened and deliberated over published literature, available guidelines, and clinical judgment. Recommendation statements were formed for different clinical scenarios. These statements were sent as a form of survey to other oncologists, and their responses were recorded and mentioned. Evidence-based statements were formed for diagnosing and managing stage III NSCLC. These recommendation statements cover various aspects—surgical, radiation, and medical treatment in various clinical scenarios including adjuvant, neoadjuvant, and consolidation therapies.