[Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): the evolution of neo-adjuvant chemotherapy in the last 15 years].

Retrospective analysis of surgical data-base of NSCLC have showed that, except stage IA, the prognosis of locally advanced disease is very poor if treated with surgery and/or radiotherapy and it is probably due to distant micrometastasis present at the diagnosis. The aim of neo-adjuvant chemotherapy is to address early the distant micrometastasis and to allow, through a downstaging, surgical resection of tumor not suitable to surgery or partially respectable at diagnosis.