Survival and quality-of-life outcomes in early-stage NSCLC patients: a literature review of real-world evidence

AIM: Assess the long-term survival and quality-of-life outcomes in early-stage NSCLC (eNSCLC) patients. METHODS: Review of long-term survival and quality-of-life after curative treatment in eNSCLC patients in observational studies. RESULTS: Disease-free proportion decreased in stage III vs stage I patients. Recurrence-free proportion decreased with age and disease stage. Advanced stage and vascular invasion increased risk of late recurrence. Conditional 5-year relative survival rates did not exceed 87%, indicating higher mortality in eNSCLC survivors. Lower conditional survival rates and relative survival rates were associated with older age and advanced disease. Survivors of eNSCLC had poorer physical quality-of-life. CONCLUSION: Despite curative-intent therapy, survivors of eNSCLC still face significant risks of recurrence, excess mortality, and diminished quality-of-life.