STAS — the fourth mechanism of invasion of malignant lung tumors. Impact on treatment outcomes

In the world literature, there has been increased interest in the little-studied mechanism of invasion of malignant lung tumors, officially recognized by the WHO only in 2015. This route of invasion was called STAS (spread through air spaces). It has now been proven that STAS significantly worsens the course of malignant lung tumors and correlates with the rate of local relapses after surgical treatment, especially when performing sublobar resections. This article covers the current state of the problem associated with relapses after surgical treatment of malignant (primary and secondary) lung tumors caused by the presence of the STAS invasion component in tumors. The study of the STAS phenomenon will complement the complex picture of carcinogenesis in lung tissue and will allow a more conscious approach to the issue of surgical treatment of malignant lung pathology, including in the sublobar variant.