Prophylactic cranial irradiation in non-small cell lung cancer: the debate is open

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is diagnosed in about 30% of patients as locally advanced disease (stage III) which is defined as a tumour that exceeds the structures of the lung itself, but without clinical evidence of distant spreading. These patients form a highly heterogeneous group with controversial treatment based on the combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy (1).