[The present status of radiotherapy in the treatment of non-small cell bronchial cancer].

GOAL. To re-define the type and place of radiotherapy in non-small cell bronchial carcinoma, where the disease is localised, either operable or non-operable, and in metastatic disease. METHOD. A review of the literature, review of the principle randomised trials and non-randomised trials describing innovative procedures, and a commentary and debate. For operable disease the indications for post-operative radiotherapy are redefined and the treatments envisaged such as those proposed using new adjuvents which may or may not include radiotherapy are discussed. For non-operable disease, different possibilities have been explored, including increased doses of treatment, modifications of the fraction regime, the association of radio-chemotherapy either concomitantly or successively. In metastatic disease the place of mediastinal radiotherapy is discussed and the possibility of radiation of the metastatic sites is recalled.