Surgical resection is the first choice treatment for patients with non-small-cell lung cancer. Although improvements of surgical techniques have reduced the incidence of complications, the long-term survival rate of postoperative patient is far from optimal. Cancer metastasis and recurrence are the main reasons that lead to long-term postoperative death. It is unavoidable that some cancer cells will be disseminated into the blood circulation or the lymphatic systems during surgery. The development of metastasis and recurrence are dependent on the balance between the immune function of the body and the cancer-promoting factors during the perioperative period.