[With reference to later intra-/extrathoracic recurrence manifestations also after so-called radical operation: when are (neo-)adjuvant measures indicated?].

Due to the high rate of loco-regional relapses as well as distant metastases, and additional chemotherapy with or without concomitant radiotherapy after the potentially curative surgery appears reasonable in stage II and higher stages of non-small cell lung cancer. Adjuvant radiotherapy can reduce the rate of local relapses in N2 tumours. The influence of this regimen on survival remains to be established. Also, preliminary results from prospective randomized studies investigating adjuvant and preoperative chemotherapy seem to demonstrate a positive effect. These therapeutic strategies currently cannot yet be recommend outside clinical studies.