Classification and Treatment of Oligometastatic Disease in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer

The standard treatment for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with distant metastases is pharmacotherapy, and the survival benefit of additional localized therapy has not been clarified. However, in cases of oligometastatic disease in which metastatic lesions are limited, a long-term prognosis has been observed with localized therapy. In recent years, several randomized controlled trials have reported the effects of additional localized therapy for oligometastatic disease. These trials have targeted cases of synchronous oligometastatic disease, and all have tended to show the extension of the survival period. Treatment of NSCLC is diversifying due to the advent of novel strategies, such as targeted therapy, immune checkpoint inhibitors, and radiotherapeutic technology. Localized therapy for oligometastatic disease might be a new treatment strategy, although the disadvantages of its invasiveness and the risks associated with discontinuation of pharmacotherapy need to be considered.