The main reason for inoperability in patients with localized NSCLC is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Patients with COPD have a high annual mortality rate.
Despite the serious prognosis of COPD, a localized NSCLC diagnosis negatively affects survival in COPD patients.
Stereotactic body radiotherapy should still be considered for COPD patients diagnosed with localized NSCLC.