Can NSCLC be cured?

Can NSCLC be cured?

Yes—NSCLC can be cured in some patients, most commonly when detected at an early stage (especially Stage I–II). Curative intent typically involves complete surgical resection (R0) and, when indicated, adjuvant chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. In selected scenarios, immunotherapy or targeted therapy may further reduce recurrence risk. In Stage IV (metastatic) NSCLC, a classic “cure” is less common, but modern treatments can deliver prolonged disease control and meaningful survival extensions; some patients experience years of stable disease. The key is accurate staging plus comprehensive tissue and molecular testing to select the most effective strategy. Practically, NSCLC care is framed as cure-oriented in early stages and control/quality-of-life–oriented in advanced stages, individualized to biology and response.