Clinical value of nodal micrometastases in patients with non-small cell lung cancer: time for reconsideration?

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide (1). Surgery is the treatment of choice in early-stage and in selected locally-advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, a significant number of patients die due to cancer recurrence even in the early stages of the disease. Accurate staging and definition of prognostic factors are therefore mandatory to identify patients at higher risk of recurrence with the aim of refining therapeutic strategies and improve overall survival.