What is the most effective treatment for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer?

Surgical resection is considered the most effective treatment for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) because it aims to completely remove the tumor and any surrounding tissue that may contain cancer cells. In the early stages of NSCLC, the cancer is typically localized, meaning that it has not spread to other parts of the body. Surgical intervention, primarily through procedures such as lobectomy or pneumonectomy, can result in a high cure rate when the cancer is detected early.

By excising the tumor, surgical resection not only eliminates the primary source of cancer but also provides the opportunity to perform a thorough pathological examination of the tumor and surrounding lymph nodes. This can help determine further treatment plans if necessary.

On the other hand, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and radiation therapy play a critical role in more advanced stages of cancer or for patients who are not surgical candidates, but they are not typically the primary treatment modalities for early-stage cases. While these therapies may be used either adjuvantly (after surgery) or neoadjuvantly (before surgery) in certain circumstances, they do not provide the same potential for a definitive cure as surgical resection does, especially when the cancer is confined to the lungs.