Guideline in Focus
Management of Patients With Early-Stage Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Lung cancer remains the number one cause of cancer death in men and women in the United States and much of the world. This guideline examines the literature on primary treatment of patients with stage I and II non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and consists of 17 evidence-based recommendations that clinicians can implement in their practice.

PUBLISHED JUNE 23, 2025

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Key Recommendations

In patients with clinical stage I NSCLC, we recommend minimally invasive approaches over thoracotomy.

In medically fit patients with clinical stage I NSCLC tumors that are centrally located or > 2 cm, we recommend lobectomy over sublobar resection.

In medically fit patients with clinical stage II NSCLC, we recommend lobectomy over sublobar resection.

For patients with completely resected stage II NSCLC, we recommend treatment with adjuvated chemotherapy.


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Outer 1/3 of lung

Epicenter location for peripheral tumor
Inner 2/3 of lung

Epicenter location for central tumor
≥ 1 hilar station

Systematic lymph node sampling
PRESS RELEASE

CHEST Releases Guideline on Management of Early-Stage Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
In a release issued to the media, lead author John Howington, MD, MBA, FCCP, speaks to the importance of this guideline in practice.

1 MINUTE READ

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