Lung cancer is currently the most common cause of cancer-related death in the USA and represents the second most common malignancy in both men and women with 171,400 new cases in the year 1999. Unfortunately, the majority of patients present with advanced disease. Despite advances in the management of this disease, the best 5-year survival for stage I remains around 70% for patients who have undergone surgical resection. Complete resection provides the best chance for cure and remains the gold standard of therapy for patients with acceptable surgical risk.