Abstract
The morbidity and mortality of lung cancer rank the first place among all the malignant tumor. According to the histopathological characteristics, lung cancer is divided into non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer. Only 20% patients diagnosed with NSCLC have the chance for surgery while their 5-yr overall survival is about 30%-60%. The therapeutic outcome of surgery alone is not satisfying. Adjuvant chemotherapy after surgical resection in stage II-IIIa lung cancer showed efficacy in many randomized clinical trials, but its role in stage I disease remains controversial. The choice of appropriate chemotherapy candidates, the selection of chemotherapy regimens and the research progress on biomarker are mainly discussed in this review.