Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Anatomical lobar resection and mediastinal lymphadenectomy remain the standard for the treatment of early stage non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and are preferred over ...procedures such as segmentectomy or wedge resection. However, there is an ongoing debate concerning the influence of the extent of the resection on overall survival. The aim of this article was to assess the overall survival for different types of resection for Stage I NSCLC.
METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of the results of the surgical treatment of Stage I NSCLC. Between 1 January 2007 and 31 December 2013, the data from 6905 patients who underwent Stage I NSCLC operations were collected in the Polish National Lung Cancer Registry (PNLCR) and overall survival was assessed. A propensity score-matched analysis was used to compare 3 groups of patients, each consisting of 231 patients who underwent lobectomy, segmentectomy, or wedge resection.
RESULTS: In the unmatched and matched patient groups, lobectomy and segmentectomy were associated with a significant benefit compared to wedge resection regarding overall survival (log-rank P < 0.001 and P = 0.001). The Cox proportional hazard ratio comparing segmentectomy and lobectomy to wedge resection was 0.54 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.37–0.77) and 0.44 (95% CI: 0.38–0.50), respectively, indicating a significant improvement in survival. There was no difference in the 5-year survival of patients after lobectomy (79.1%; 95% CI: 77.7–80.4%) or segmentectomy (78.3%; 95% CI: 70.6–86.0%). The 30-day mortality rate was 1.6, 2.6 and 1.4% for lobectomy, segmentectomy and wedge resection, respectively. Wedge resection was associated with a significantly lower 5-year survival rate (58.1%; 95% CI: 53.6–62.5%) compared to segmentectomy (78.3%; 95% CI: 70.6–86.0%) and lobectomy (79.1%; 95% CI: 77.7–80.5%). The propensity score matched analysis confirmed most of the results of the comparisons of unmatched study groups.
CONCLUSIONS: Wedge resection was associated with significantly lower 3-year and 5-year survival rates compared to the other methods of resection. There was no significant difference in 3-year or 5-year survival rates between lobectomy and segmentectomy. Segmentectomy, but not wedge resection, could be considered an alternative to lobectomy in the treatment of patients with Stage I NSCLC.
This study aimed to determine whether three preoperative cycles of gemcitabine plus cisplatin followed by radical surgery provides a reduction in the risk of progression compared with surgery alone ...in patients with stages IB to IIIA non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Patients with chemotherapy-naive NSCLC (stages IB, II, or IIIA) were randomly assigned to receive either three cycles of gemcitabine 1,250 mg/m(2) days 1 and 8 every 3 weeks plus cisplatin 75 mg/m(2) day 1 every 3 weeks followed by surgery, or surgery alone. Randomization was stratified by center and disease stage (IB/IIA v IIB/IIIA). The primary end point was progression-free survival (PFS). Results The study was prematurely closed after the random assignment of 270 patients: 129 to chemotherapy plus surgery and 141 to surgery alone. Median age was 61.8 years and 83.3% were male. Slightly more patients in the surgery alone arm had disease stage IB/IIA (55.3% v 48.8%). The chemotherapy response rate was 35.4%. The hazard ratios for PFS and overall survival were 0.70 (95% CI, 0.50 to 0.97; P = .003) and 0.63 (95% CI, 0.43 to 0.92; P = .02), respectively, both in favor of chemotherapy plus surgery. A statistically significant impact of preoperative chemotherapy on outcomes was observed in the stage IIB/IIIA subgroup (3-year PFS rate: 36.1% v 55.4%; P = .002). The most common grade 3 or 4 chemotherapy-related adverse events were neutropenia and thrombocytopenia. No treatment-by-histology interaction effect was apparent.
Although the study was terminated early, preoperative gemcitabine plus cisplatin followed by radical surgery improved survival in patients with clinical stage IIB/IIIA NSCLC.
The American College of Chest Physicians guidelines recommend low-technology exercise tests in the functional evaluation of patients with lung cancer considered for resectional surgery. However, the ...6-min walk test (6MWT) is not included, because the data on its clinical value are inconsistent. Our goal was to evaluate the 6MWT in assessing the risk of cardiopulmonary complications in candidates for lung resection.
We performed a retrospective assessment of clinical data and pulmonary function test results in 947 patients, mean age 65.3 (standard deviation 9.5) years, who underwent a single lobectomy for lung cancer. In 555 patients with predicted postoperative values ≤60%, the 6MWT was performed. The 6-min walking distance (6MWD) and the distance-saturation product (DSP), which is the product of the 6MWD in metres, and the lowest oxygen saturation registered during the test were assessed.
A total of 363 patients with predicted postoperative values <60% and a 6MWT distance (6MWD) ≥400 m or DSP ≥ 350 m% had a lower rate of cardiopulmonary complications than patients with shorter 6MWD or lower DSP values odds ratio (OR) 0.53, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.35-0.81 and 0.47 (95% CI 0.30-0.73), respectively. This result was also true for patients with predicted postoperative values <40%, ORs 0.33 (95% CI 0.14-0.79) and 0.25 (95% CI 0.10-0.61), respectively.
The 6MWT is useful in the assessment of operative risk in patients undergoing a single lobectomy for lung cancer. It helps to stratify the operative risk, which is lower in patients with 6MWD ≥400 m or DSP ≥350 m% than in patients with a shorter 6MWD or lower DSP values.
Studies have demonstrated a lower incidence of complications after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) lobectomy compared with thoracotomy, but the data on in-hospital and 90-day mortality ...are inconclusive. This study analyzed whether surgical approach, VATS or thoracotomy, was related to early mortality of lobectomy in lung cancer and determined the differences between in-hospital and 90-day mortality.
Data of all patients with non-small cell lung cancer who underwent lobectomy between January 1, 2007, and July 30, 2018, were retrieved from Polish National Lung Cancer Registry. Included were 31 433 patients who met all study criteria. After propensity score matching, 4946 patients in the VATS group were compared with 4946 patients in the thoracotomy group.
Compared with thoracotomy, VATS lobectomy was related to lower in-hospital (1.5% vs 0.9%, P = .004) and 90-day mortality (3.4% vs 1.8%, P < .001). Mortality at 90 days was twice as high as in-hospital mortality in both the VATS (1.8% vs 0.9%, P < .001) and thoracotomy groups (3.4% vs 1.5%, P < .001). Postoperative complications were less common after VATS compared with thoracotomy (23.6% vs 31.8%, P < .001).
VATS lobectomy is associated with lower in-hospital and 90-day mortality compared with thoracotomy and should be recommended for lung cancer treatment, if feasible. Patients should also be closely monitored after discharge from the hospital, because 90-day mortality is significant higher than in-hospital mortality.
Display omitted
We aimed to study the clinical significance of the lack of lymph node assessment (pNx status) and its impact on survival in non-small-cell lung cancer patients.
We retrospectively analysed the Polish ...Lung Cancer Study Group database. pNx status was defined as 0 lymph nodes removed. We included 17,192 patients.
A total of 1080 patients (6%) had pNx status. pNx patients were more likely to be younger, be female, have a different pT distribution, have squamous cell carcinoma, undergo open thoracotomy, be operated on in non-academic hospitals, and have a lower rate of some comorbidities. pNx was more likely to be cN0 than pN1 and pN2 but less likely than pN0 (p < 0.001). pNx patients were less likely to undergo preoperative invasive mediastinal diagnostics than pN1 and pN2 patients but more likely than pN0 patients (p < 0.001). Overall, the five-year overall survival rates were 64%, 45%, 32% and 50% for pN0, pN1, pN2 and pNx, respectively. In pairwise comparisons, all pN descriptors differed significantly from each other (all p < 0.0001 but pNx vs. pN1 p = 0.016). The placement of the pNx survival curve and survival rate depended on histopathology, surgical approach and pT status. In multivariable analysis, pNx was an independent prognostic risk factor (HR = 1.37, 95%CI: 1.23–1.51, p < 0.01).
The resection of lymph nodes in lung cancer remains a crucial step in the surgical treatment of this disease. The survival of pNx patients is similar to that of pN1 patients. pNx survival curve placement depends on the other variables which could be useful in clinical decisions.
•Impact of pNx (0 lymph nodes) status on lung cancer patients survival was analysed.•We found pNx status in 6% of cases.•The 5-year OS rates were 64%, 45%, 32%, 50% for pN0, pN1, pN2, pNx, respectively.•The survival of pNx is similar to that of pN1 rather than pN0.•pNx survival depends on the other variables that could be useful in daily practice.
The International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer has proposed a new classification of N descriptor based on the number of metastatic lymph nodes (LNs) stations, including skip metastasis. ...The aim of the study was to determine the effect of removed LNs on the adequacy of this new classification.
The material was collected retrospectively based on the database of the Polish Lung Cancer Group, including information on 8016 patients with non-small cell lung cancer operated in 23 thoracic surgery centers in Poland. The material covered the period from January 2005 to September 2015. We divided patients into two groups: ≤6LNs and >6LNs removed.
In the whole group, an average of 13.4 nodes and 4.54 nodal stations were removed. 5-year survivals in the >6LNs group vs ≤ 6LNs group were: 62.3% and 55.1% (N0), 44.5% and 35.9% (N1a), 34.1% and 31,7% (N1b), 37.3% and 26.3% (N2a1), 32.4% and 26.7% (N2a2), 29.4% and 29.2% (N2b1), and 22.0% and 23.0% (N2b2), respectively. Comparing these groups, we detected significant differences at N0 (p < 0.001) and N2a1 (p = 0.022). In the ≤6LNs group, the survival curves for N2a1, N2a2, N2b1, and N2b2 overlapped (p > 0.05). In the >6LNs group, the survival curves were significantly different between grades, with survival for N2a1 better than N1b (p = 0.232).
The proposed classification N descriptor is potentially better at differentiating patients into different stages. The accuracy of the classification depends on the number of lymph nodes removed. Therefore, the extent of lymphadenectomy has a significant impact on the staging of surgically-treated lung cancer.
•New method of lymph node staging in lung cancer possibly better predict survival.•This method benefits from a number of lymph nodes removed during surgery.•Therefore, these two factors have significant impact on lung cancer staging.
While fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFRs) are involved in several biological pathways and FGFR inhibitors may be useful in the treatment of squamous non-small cell lung cancer (Sq-NSCLC), FGFR ...aberrations are not well characterized in Sq-NSCLC. We comprehensively evaluated FGFR expression, fusions, and variants in 40 fresh-frozen primary Sq-NSCLC (stage IA3−IV) samples and tumor-adjacent normal tissues using real-time PCR and next-generation sequencing (NGS). Protein expression of FGFR1−3 and amplification of FGFR1 were also analyzed. FGFR1 and FGFR4 median gene expression was significantly (p < 0.001) decreased in tumors compared with normal tissue. Increased FGFR3 expression enhanced the recurrence risk (hazard ratio 4.72, p = 0.029), while high FGFR4 expression was associated with lymph node metastasis (p = 0.036). Enhanced FGFR1 gene expression was correlated with FGFR1 protein overexpression (r = 0.75, p = 0.0003), but not with FGFR1 amplification. NGS revealed known pathogenic FGFR2,3 variants, an FGFR3::TACC3 fusion, and a novel TACC1::FGFR1 fusion together with FGFR1,2 variants of uncertain significance not previously reported in Sq-NSCLC. These findings expand our knowledge of the Sq-NSCLC molecular background and show that combining different methods increases the rate of FGFR aberrations detection, which may improve patient selection for FGFRi treatment.
Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) is increasingly used in the surgical treatment of early lung cancer, but the oncological benefits are still controversial. We aimed to compare video-assisted ...lobectomy and open thoracotomy lobectomy in terms of lymphadenectomy and long-term survival depending on the location of lobectomy.
A retrospective, multicenter study was based on the Polish Lung Cancer Study Group and included patients with stage I lung cancer who were surgically treated between 2007 and 2015. We included 1410 patients after video-assisted lobectomy and 4,855 after open thoracotomy.
The average number of lymph nodes removed in video-assisted lobectomy was 10.9 and in open thoracotomy lobectomy was 12.9 (P<0.001). The 5-year survival was better in the video-assisted lobectomy group (78.6%) compared to open thoracotomy (73.8%) (P=0.002). Significant differences were found in the case of left lower lobe and left upper lobe lobectomies. Multivariable analysis showed that the prognostic factors for open thoracotomy relative to video-assisted lobectomy are: age over 60 HR (95% CI): 1.55 (1.17-2.05), P=0.002, female HR (95% CI): 1.57 (1.07-2.29), P=0.02, squamous cell carcinoma HR (95% CI): 1.63 (1.12-2.37), P=0.011, left lower lobe HR (95% CI): 2.69 (1.37-5.27), P=0.004 and left upper lobe HR (95% CI): 1.53 (1.01-2.33), P=0.047.
The study showed that the number of lymph nodes removed during video-assisted lobectomy is significantly lower than in the open thoracotomy group. The long-term video-assisted lobectomy results were significantly better compared to open thoracotomy. Better long-term results were achieved on the left side of lobectomy.
More information is needed on gender differences in lung cancer surgery. Thus, we conducted a retrospective study on thoracic treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients between 2007 and ...2020 in Poland. The aim was to characterize sex differences in survival after complete surgical resection and to compare postoperative complications between Polish men and women. The main aspects that were compared between women and men were as follows: type of surgery and postoperative staging, morbidity and mortality, thoracic surgery complications, comorbidities, and overall survival based on a univariate analysis including propensity score matching (PSM) and a multivariate analysis.
Data were collected retrospectively from the Polish Lung Cancer Study Group database. Patients who were surgically treated for NSCLC between 2007 and 2020 (n = 17,192) were included in the study.
The univariate analysis showed significantly better survival in women than in men. Women had better 5-year survival compared to men both for adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma (66% vs. 53%, p < 0.0001 and 65% vs. 51%, p<0.0001%, respectively), for both smokers and non-smokers (65% vs. 52%, p < 0.0001 and 65% vs. 51%, p < 0.0001, respectively), all age groups, and all stages (IA1 to III B). In the PSM analysis, statistically significant differences in favor of women were found for lower lobectomy (67% vs. 50%, p < 0.0001) and upper lobectomy (67% vs. 56%, p < 0.0001). Overall, postoperative complications occurred in 33.1% of patients and were observed more often in men than in women (35.8% vs. 28.6%, p < 0.001).
Women with NSCLC who were treated surgically had a better long-term outcome compared to men, with no significant difference in disease severity. In addition to gender, the histological type, comorbidities, and type of surgery and surgical approach are also important.
•Gender has important role in survival for NSCLC.•Women had better 5-year survival compared to men overall and in various subgroups.•Women treated surgically for NSCLC have better outcomes in lower and upper lobectomy.
PDF
