Surgery Versus Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy for Stage I Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
The development of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for the treatment of stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has inspired a close partnership between thoracic surgery and radiation oncology. In this study, patients with stage I NSCLC will be screened prior to treatment and will be consented after their treatment plan has been determined. Prospectively collected patient-reported outcomes (PROs) will be collected for 3 years or for the duration of the study (whichever is shorter), as will outcomes data.
Ask AI to explain this studyKey things to know
This describes the study’s primary purpose.
The study team can explain what participation involves.
These are broad labels—not an eligibility decision.
Checked against the public recordLast updated Apr 7, 2026 · Source: ClinicalTrials.gov
The study is underway but is not accepting new participants.
Observational
Locations may change over time.
Study sponsor
What this study is about
- Purpose
- Not specified
- Study type
- Observational
- Phase
- Not applicable
- Sponsor
- Washington University School of Medicine
- Interventions being studied
- Not specified
How this study is categorized
These labels come from structured fields and exact terms in the public record.
Who may be able to participate
The sponsor separates these requirements into two groups. You do not need to interpret them alone—use them to guide a conversation with the study team.
- Clinical stage I NSCLC (T1 or T2a, N0, M0) by CT performed within 90 days of screening.
- PET/CT is required within 90 days of screening except under circumstances where the clinical picture suggests, or biopsy confirms, a low-grade adenocarcinoma.
- Biopsy is strongly encouraged. In the event biopsy is not performed, rationale must be provided for performing empiric treatment.
- Patients with hilar or mediastinal lymph nodes ≤ 1 cm and no abnormal hilar or mediastinal uptake on PET will be considered N0. Pre-treatment mediastinal lymph node sampling by any technique is allowed but not required. Patients with \> 1 cm hilar or mediastinal lymph nodes on CT or abnormal PET (including suspicious but nondiagnostic uptake) are be eligible only if directed tissue biopsies of all abnormally identified areas are negative for cancer.
- First primary NSCLC on the ipsilateral side.
- At least 18 years of age.
- Clinically eligible for either treatment (surgical resection or SBRT). Because this is a pragmatic study and treatment decisions are at the discretion of the treating physicians and their patients, patients must be eligible for either treatment. To be considered eligible for either treatment, patients must have:
- ECOG performance status ≤ 2
- No home oxygen use
- FEV1 and DLCO ≥ 40% predicted
- No symptomatic congestive heart failure as documented by NYHA I-II functional classification
- Been deemed operable by a thoracic surgeon, per clinical visit or review of the medical record and as documented by e-mail, tumor board, study meetings, or other acceptable source documentation. In addition to operability, the surgeon must define what anticipated surgical approach and procedure would be undertaken.
- Been deemed treatable by a radiation oncologist with 10 or fewer fractions of SBRT, per clinical visit or review of the medical record and as documented by e-mail, tumor board, study meetings, or other acceptable source documentation. In addition to suitability for SBRT, the radiation oncologist must define which dose and fractionation would be undertaken.
- Ability to understand and willingness to sign an IRB-approved written informed consent document.
- Agrees to receive treatment for clinical stage I NSCLC (either surgical resection or SBRT).
- Prior or concurrent malignancies, unless the natural history of the prior or concurrent malignancy does not have the potential to interfere with the interpretation of the results of the study.
- Clinically diagnosed or biopsy proven low-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma (carcinoid).
- Prior thoracic radiation therapy that would overlap with the lung cancer being treated on study.
- Previous chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or surgical resection specifically for the lung cancer being treated on study.
- Prior lung resection on the ipsilateral side positive for malignancy.
- Patients with central tumors requiring a sleeve lobectomy or pneumonectomy.
- "Ultra-central" lesions (defined as a lesion that directly contacts or overlaps the trachea, main bronchus, esophagus, or pulmonary vessels).
- Concurrent enrollment in a therapeutic trial for the index cancer.
- Synchronous primary lung cancer.
- Uncontrolled or symptomatic psychiatric condition.
Important: This is the sponsor’s public criteria, not a determination of eligibility. The study team must review your individual situation.
U.S. locations
- Emory UniversityAtlanta, Georgia
- Carle Cancer InstituteUrbana, Illinois
- Washington University School of MedicineSt Louis, Missouri
- Memorial Sloan KetteringNew York, New York
- Duke UniversityDurham, North Carolina
- Cleveland ClinicCleveland, Ohio
- University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHouston, Texas
- University of TorontoToronto, Ontario
Source and freshness
Processed from ClinicalTrials.gov. Last public update: Apr 7, 2026. Always confirm current availability with the study team.