BTS guidelines: guidelines on the selection of patients with lung cancer for surgery

The use of scoring systems in selecting patients for lung resection: work-up bias comes full-circle

The construction of statistical models of perioperative risk and long-term postoperative survival is a useful activity. It facilitates fair, assessment of surgical outcomes and provides insight into the association between certain clinical features and outcome. It provides quantitative estimates of risk or long-term survival. There are, however, a number of limitations to the use of such models in informing decisions concerning the selection of patients for lung resection. In essence, the limitations described in this article are those of work-up bias come full circle. Concerning the use of scoring systems in selecting patients for resection, one should remember the advice of the wise Gene Blackstone: caveat emptor. The findings of model-building exercises, if based on surgical databases, can only augment, and not replace, clinical judgment. When models suggest that certain patient groups do well, the prior selection of these patients should be borne in mind. When models of perioperative risk or long-term survival suggest that certain patient groups, despite being carefully selected by clinical teams, do badly, this information should be heeded. That said, moves to deny informed patients lung resection on the basis of estimates of risk or "poor" survival should be considered carefully. For example the British Thoracic Society Guidelines on Surgery for lung cancer state that mortality following resection should not be in excess of 4% for lobectomy. It is not exactly clear what is intended by publishing that statement. It represents some form of audit standard but clearly fails if one thinks in terms of the individual patient. A patient who has a curable cancer and who faces a life expectancy likely to be under 2 years without surgery might well accept a greater than 1 in 25 chance of perioperative death. If 25 patients in a room were facing that prospect, all 25 might reasonably hope to be among the 24 expected survivors and opt for surgery.

Predicting the need for intensive care following lung resection

On the basis of the evidence available, the authors would suggest a decision making algorithm to determine the need for ICU admission postoperatively similar to that shown in Fig. 1. First, patients should quit smoking at least 1 month and preferably 2 months before surgery. Those over the age of 70 years should receive elective ICU admission. Second, those at increased risk of general anesthesia, as judged by ASA and performance status scores and cardiovascular risk assessment, should be prebooked into the ICU in the postoperative period. A ppo FEV1 of less than 44% should warrant additional monitoring rather than mandate ICU admission. Pre-existing fibrotic lung disease mandates ICU admission. Third, perioperatively, protective (low tidal volume) ventilatory strategies should be applied during one lung ventilation. Patients undergoing one lung ventilation, and especially those undergoing extensive lymphatic dissection, should be monitored closely for signs of ALI in the first 5 days postoperatively. This, together with any indication of postoperative complications such as POP, BPF or empyema, should mandate immediate transfer to the ICU.

Preoperative and postoperative pulmonary rehabilitation in lung cancer patients

The benefits derived from comprehensive PR, when applied to patients who have lung cancer, should have significant impact on both survival and health status. Because PR is known to improve exercise capacity, it is reasonable to expect that this treatment modality may provide more patients with a potential cure. In addition, improvement in symptoms and quality of life can prove critically important when long-term survival is not an outcome that can be impacted on. Studies thus far support the value of this treatment modality in the global approach to patients who have lung cancer. Future well-designed clinical trials will need to corroborate these findings. We look forward to improving lung cancer outcomes with the widespread use of pulmonary rehabilitation.

Future trends in preoperative evaluation

Preoperative evaluation before lung resection has been frequently addressed in modern medical literature. Actual or predicted pulmonary volumes are considered relevant to predict the risk of surgery. Nevertheless, ppoFEV1 underestimates the real functional loss in the immediate postoperative period when most of the complications occur. Not all patients, however, have comparable functional changes after lobectomy. Minimal impairment or even improvements have been demonstrated in COPD cases after lobectomy. Efforts should be directed to an accurate prediction of the immediate postoperative pulmonary volumes for a better evaluation of high-risk patients caused by respiratory impairment. Future developments are needed on the role of measuring preoperative DLCO and how to evaluate a patient's general cardiorespiratory status. Evidence underlines the relevance of routine evaluation of preoperative DLCO at rest or, better, during exercise for a thorough assessment of patient's capability to adapt to a stressful situation (Fig. 3). Only by improving knowledge about the general condition of the patient, can one assess the physiologic response to surgery. Widespread use of sophisticated or simple exercise tests and measurements or daily activity using motion detectors can identify high-risk patients with otherwise acceptable pulmonary volumes. Another suggested investigation issue is to develop different relevant outcome parameters, not only from the surgeon's point of view but also from the patient's perspective, such as postoperative QOL-related variables or delayed outcomes. Finally, multidisciplinary investigation teams, including experts in mathematical modeling, are essential to improve the quality and validity of the developed models. Although knowledge about perioperative physiologic changes has increased, clinicians are still far from finding a way to put all this knowledge down and make it applicable for an individual patient. Multicentric cooperation and evaluation of large prospectively recorded databases are essential to develop evidence-based clinical guidelines on preoperative evaluation.

A retrospective analysis of short and long-term survival after curative pulmonary resection for lung cancer in elderly patients

In this retrospective study we analyzed the age-related mortality and the long-term survival of a total of 2021 subjects (male: n=1509; female: n=512) who underwent major pulmonary resections (lobectomy, pneumonectomy) in curative intention for primary non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). As controls, patients were divided into three groups of age: subjects >75 years of age (n=119), subjects 65-75 years of age (n=587) and subjects <65 years of age (n=1315). Overall mortality after lobectomy was 1.4% (21/1505 patients); age-related mortality was 0.9% (n=8/919) in subjects aged <65 years, 1.9% (n=9/486) in subjects aged 65-75 years, and 4.0% (n=4/100) in subjects aged >75 years. Overall mortality after pneumonectomy was 4.3% (22/516 patients); age-related mortality was 3.0% (n=12/396) in subjects aged <65 years, 7.9% (n=8/101) in subjects aged 65-75 years, 10.5% (n=2/19) in subjects aged >75 years. The overall 5-year survival rates were 52.5% (age: <65 years), 45.8% (age: 65-75 years), and 50% (age: >75 years). There was no significant difference in overall survival between age groups. However, an impaired performance status (ECOG status grades 1-3) had a significant negative impact on survival in subjects >65 years (p=0.017), and in subjects >75 years (p=0.002). We conclude, medically fit elderly patients should not be denied surgery of resectable non-small cell lung cancer based on their chronologic age alone. Curative pulmonary resections due to lung cancer can be performed safely in those elderly patients that are fulfilling the common criteria of operability.

[Evaluating the nutritional status of a lung cancer patient is an important element in patient management]

Nutritional status assessment during the comprehensive management of patients treated for cancer is becoming increasingly necessary. Various data are currently available which show a relationship between the nutritional status and certain morbidity-mortality parameters. In contrast, there is a paucity of data concerning lung cancer. A relationship between survival and the nutritional status has been found in the literature, exclusively in advanced stages of lung cancer. Unlike that observed in oncological digestive tract surgery, where artificial nutrition is recommended preoperatively in severely malnourished patients, no link has been evidenced between postoperative morbidity and mortality and the preoperative nutritional status in lung surgery. The scientific nutritional societies simply recommend preoperative nutritional assessment. Reflection on management of malnourished patients receiving chemotherapy is still "archaic" and recent studies and recommendations are lacking. Although largely prescribed, oral nutritional supplements have not proven efficient and patient compliance will probably have to be improved. According to "good nutrition practice" rules, the digestive tube should be used when it is functional and in theory, enteral nutrition is indicated in this situation. In addition to the lack of clinical studies, one of the obstacles to its use is cultural with the need to obtain not only patient approval but also that of the prescriber. Parenteral nutrition was discredited in earlier studies. It should probably be reevaluated in the context of new chemotherapeutic molecules and a different way of handling nutrition care. The physiological concept of omega-3 fatty acid modulation of inflammation is of interest in animal studies but the clinical modalities of use remain to be defined and determined. The role of nutrition in the management of lung cancer is still very limited but there are major expectations and many solutions are awaited in the coming years.

Stairs climbing test with pulse oximetry as predictor of early postoperative complications in functionally impaired patients with lung cancer and elective lung surgery: prospective trial of consecutive series of patients

AIM

To test the predictive value of stairs climbing test for the development of postoperative complications in lung cancer patients with forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1)<2 L, selected for an elective lung surgery.

METHODS

The prospective study was conducted in 101 consecutive patients with an FEV1<2 L selected for elective lung surgery for lung cancer. Preoperative examination included medical history and physical examination, lung function testing, electrocardiography, laboratory testing, and chest radiography. All patients underwent stairs climbing with pulse oximetry before the operation with the number of steps climbed and the time to complete the test recorded. Oxygen saturation and pulse rate were measured every 20 steps. Data on postoperative complications including oxygen use, prolonged mechanical ventilation, and early postoperative mortality were collected.

RESULTS

Eighty-seven of 101 patients (86%) had at least one postoperative complication. The type of surgery was significantly associated with postoperative complications (25.5% patients with lobectomy had no early postoperative complications), while age, gender, smoking status, postoperative oxygenation, and artificial ventilation were not. There were more postoperative complications in more extensive and serious types of surgery (P<0.001). The stairs climbing test produced a significant decrease in oxygen saturation (-1%) and increase in pulse rate (by 10/min) for every 20 steps climbed. The stairs climbing test was predictive for postoperative complications only in lobectomy group, with the best predictive parameter being the quotient of oxygen saturation after 40 steps and test duration (positive likelihood ratio [LR], 2.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.71-3.38; negative LR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.38-0.76). In patients with other types of surgery the only significant predictive parameter for incident severe postoperative complications was the number of days on artificial ventilation (P=0.006).

CONCLUSION

Stairs climbing test should be done in routine clinical practice as a standard test for risk assessment and prediction of the development of postoperative complications in lung cancer patients selected for elective surgery (lobectomy). Comparative to spirometry, it detects serious disorders in oxygen transport that are a baseline for a later development of cardiopulmonary postoperative complications and mortality in this subgroup of patients.

Predicting survival in potentially curable lung cancer patients

Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer death with unchanged mortality for 50 years. Only localized nonsmall-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is curable. In these patients it is essential to accurately predict survival to help identify those that will benefit from treatment and those at risk of relapse. Despite needing this clinical information, prospective data are lacking. We therefore prospectively identified prognostic factors in patients with potentially curable lung cancer. Over 2 years, 110 consecutive patients with confirmed localized NSCLC (stages 1-3A) were recruited from a single tertiary center. Prognostic factors investigated included age, gender, body mass index (BMI), performance status, comorbidity, disease stage, quality of life, and respiratory physiology. Patients were followed up for 3-5 years and mortality recorded. The data were analyzed using survival analysis methods. Twenty-eight patients died within 1 year, 15 patients died within 2 years, and 11 patients died within 3 years postsurgery. Kaplan-Meier survival estimates show a survival rate of 51% at 3 years. Factors significantly (p < 0.05) associated with poor overall survival were age at assessment, diabetes, serum albumin, peak VO(2) max, shuttle walk distance, and predicted postoperative transfer factor. In multiple-variable survival models, the strongest predictors of survival overall were diabetes and shuttle walk distance. The results show that potentially curable lung cancer patients should not be discriminated against with respect to weight and smoking history. Careful attention is required when managing patients with diabetes. Respiratory physiologic measurements were of limited value in predicting long-term survival after lung cancer surgery.

The European societies subjective and objective scores

This article explores the issue of risk modeling for patients undergoing lung resection. The development of risk stratification in thoracic surgery is discussed together with its application in patient populations and in individual patients. The European Societies Risk Scores (Objective and Subjective) Version 1 are discussed in detail. The development of Version 2 of the risk score is described, and the future role of risk scoring on thoracic surgical practice is considered.

A model to predict the immediate postoperative FEV1 following major lung resections

OBJECTIVE

FEV1 measured on the first postoperative day has shown to be a better predictor of complications than traditional ppoFEV1. Therefore, its estimation before operation may enhance risk stratification. The objective of this study was to develop and validate a model to predict FEV1 on the first postoperative day after major lung resection.

METHODS

FEV1 was prospectively measured on the first postoperative day in 272 patients submitted for lobectomy or pneumonectomy at two centers. A random sample of 136 patients was used to develop a model estimating the first day FEV1 by using multiple regression analysis including several preoperative and operative factors. The model was then validated by bootstrap analysis and tested on the other sample of 136 patients.

RESULTS

Factors reliably associated with postoperative first day FEV1 were age (p=0.002), preoperative FEV1 (p<0.0001), the presence of epidural analgesia (p<0.0001), and the percentage of non-obstructed segments removed during operation (p=0.001). The following model estimating the first day postoperative FEV1 was derived: -2.648+0.295 x age+0.371 x FEV1+8.216 x epidural analgesia - 0.338 x percentage of non-obstructed segments removed during operation. In the validation set, the mean predicted first day postoperative FEV1 value did not differ from the observed one (42.6 vs 42.0, respectively; p=0.3) and the plot of the observed versus the predicted first day FEV1 showed a satisfactory calibration.

CONCLUSIONS

We developed a model predicting the first day postoperative FEV1. If future analyses will prove its role in stratifying the early postoperative risk, it may be integrated in preoperative evaluation algorithms to refine risk stratification.

Physiologic evaluation of the patient with lung cancer being considered for resectional surgery: ACCP evidenced-based clinical practice guidelines (2nd edition)

BACKGROUND

This section of the guidelines is intended to provide an evidence-based approach to the preoperative physiologic assessment of a patient being considered for surgical resection of lung cancer.

METHODS

Current guidelines and medical literature applicable to this issue were identified by computerized search and evaluated using standardized methods. Recommendations were framed using the approach described by the Health and Science Policy Committee.

RESULTS

The preoperative physiologic assessment should begin with a cardiovascular evaluation and spirometry to measure the FEV(1). If diffuse parenchymal lung disease is evident on radiographic studies or if there is dyspnea on exertion that is clinically out of proportion to the FEV(1), the diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (Dlco) should also be measured. In patients with either an FEV(1) or Dlco < 80% predicted, the likely postoperative pulmonary reserve should be estimated by either the perfusion scan method for pneumonectomy or the anatomic method, based on counting the number of segments to be removed, for lobectomy. An estimated postoperative FEV(1) or Dlco < 40% predicted indicates an increased risk for perioperative complications, including death, from a standard lung cancer resection (lobectomy or greater removal of lung tissue). Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) to measure maximal oxygen consumption (Vo(2)max) should be performed to further define the perioperative risk of surgery; a Vo(2)max of < 15 mL/kg/min indicates an increased risk of perioperative complications. Alternative types of exercise testing, such as stair climbing, the shuttle walk, and the 6-min walk, should be considered if CPET is not available. Although often not performed in a standardized manner, patients who cannot climb one flight of stairs are expected to have a Vo(2)max of < 10 mL/kg/min. Data on the shuttle walk and 6-min walk are limited, but patients who cannot complete 25 shuttles on two occasions will likely have a Vo(2)max of < 10 mL/kg/min. Desaturation during an exercise test has not clearly been associated with an increased risk for perioperative complications. Lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) improves survival in selected patients with severe emphysema. Accumulating experience suggests that patients with extremely poor lung function who are deemed inoperable by conventional criteria might tolerate combined LVRS and curative-intent resection of lung cancer with an acceptable mortality rate and good postoperative outcomes. Combining LVRS and lung cancer resection should be considered in patients with a cancer in an area of upper lobe emphysema, an FEV(1) of > 20% predicted, and a Dlco of > 20% predicted.

CONCLUSIONS

A careful preoperative physiologic assessment will be useful to identify those patients who are at increased risk with standard lung cancer resection and to enable an informed decision by the patient about the appropriate therapeutic approach to treating their lung cancer. This preoperative risk assessment must be placed in the context that surgery for early-stage lung cancer is the most effective currently available treatment for this disease.

Treatment of non-small cell lung cancer, stage IIIB: ACCP evidence-based clinical practice guidelines (2nd edition)

OBJECTIVE

To develop evidence-based guidelines on best available treatment options for patients with stage IIIB non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODS

A review was conducted of published English-language (abstract or full text) phase II or phase III trials and guidelines from other organizations that address management of the various categories of stage IIIB disease. The literature search was provided by the Duke University Center for Clinical Health Policy Research and supplemented by any additional studies known by the authors.

RESULTS

Surgery may be indicated for carefully selected patients with T4N0-1M0. Patients with N3 nodal involvement are not considered to be surgical candidates. For individuals with unresectable disease, good performance score, and minimal weight loss, treatment with combined chemoradiotherapy results in better survival than radiotherapy (RT) alone. Concurrent chemoradiotherapy seems to be associated with improved survival compared with sequential chemoradiotherapy. Multiple daily fractions of RT when combined with chemotherapy have not been shown to result in improved survival compared with standard once-daily RT combined with chemotherapy. The optimal chemotherapy agents and the number of cycles of treatment to combine with RT are uncertain.

CONCLUSION

Prospective trials are needed to answer important questions, such as the role of induction therapy in patients with potentially resectable stage IIIB disease. Future trials are needed to answer the questions of optimal chemotherapy agents and radiation fractionation schedule. The role of targeted novel agents in combination with chemoradiotherapy is just starting to be investigated.

Noninvasive staging of non-small cell lung cancer: ACCP evidenced-based clinical practice guidelines (2nd edition)

BACKGROUND

Correctly staging lung cancer is important because the treatment options and the prognosis differ significantly by stage. Several noninvasive imaging studies including chest CT scanning and positron emission tomography (PET) scanning are available. Understanding the test characteristics of these noninvasive staging studies is critical to decision making.

METHODS

Test characteristics for the noninvasive staging studies were updated from the first iteration of the lung cancer guidelines using systematic searches of the MEDLINE, HealthStar, and Cochrane Library databases up to May 2006, including selected metaanalyses, practice guidelines, and reviews. Study designs and results are summarized in evidence tables.

RESULTS

The pooled sensitivity and specificity of CT scanning for identifying mediastinal lymph node metastasis were 51% (95% confidence interval [CI], 47 to 54%) and 85% (95% CI, 84 to 88%), respectively, confirming that CT scanning has limited ability either to rule in or exclude mediastinal metastasis. For PET scanning, the pooled estimates of sensitivity and specificity for identifying mediastinal metastasis were 74% (95% CI, 69 to 79%) and 85% (95% CI, 82 to 88%), respectively. These findings demonstrate that PET scanning is more accurate than CT scanning. If the clinical evaluation in search of metastatic disease is negative, the likelihood of finding metastasis is low.

CONCLUSIONS

CT scanning of the chest is useful in providing anatomic detail, but the accuracy of chest CT scanning in differentiating benign from malignant lymph nodes in the mediastinum is poor. PET scanning has much better sensitivity and specificity than chest CT scanning for staging lung cancer in the mediastinum, and distant metastatic disease can be detected by PET scanning. With either test, abnormal findings must be confirmed by tissue biopsy to ensure accurate staging.

How Accurately Can We Predict Forced Expiratory Volume in One Second after Major Pulmonary Resection?

Standard formulas for predicting postoperative forced expiratory volume in 1 second (po-FEV1) do not consider bronchi obstructed by tumor or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, e.g., Formula 1 [ppo-FEV1 = (pre-opFEV1) x (# segments remaining)/(# of total segments)] whereas Formula 2 [ppo-FEV1 = (pre-opFEV1) x (# segments remaining)/(# of total unobstructed segments)] does. A retrospective chart review was conducted to determine accuracy of predicting po-FEV1, at a comprehensive cancer center. Predicted po-FEV1 was calculated using different formulas and analyzed using regression analysis and Pearson correlation. We found good correlation between po-FEV1 and predicted po-FEV1 using Formulas 1 and 2. In patients with tumor airway obstruction or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, predictive accuracy decreased for both formulas. Prediction of FEV1 in patients undergoing pulmonary resection was generally accurate, but major errors were observed in some cases; therefore, better predictive formulas are needed in patients with airway obstruction by tumor or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Preoperative exercise Vo2 measurement for lung resection candidates: results of Cancer and Leukemia Group B Protocol 9238

INTRODUCTION

A stepwise approach to the functional assessment of lung resection candidates is widely accepted, and this approach incorporates the measurement of exercise peak Vo2 when spirometry and radionuclear studies suggest medical inoperability. A new functional operability (FO) algorithm incorporates peak exercise Vo2 earlier in the preoperative assessment to determine which patients require preoperative radionuclear studies. This algorithm has not been studied in a multicenter study.

METHODS

The CALGB (Cancer and Leukemia Group B) performed a prospective multi-institutional study to investigate the use of primary exercise Vo2 measurement for the prediction of surgical risk. Patients with known or suspected resectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) were eligible. Exercise testing including measurement of peak oxygen uptake (Vo2), spirometry, and single breath diffusion capacity (DLCO) was performed on each patient. Nuclear perfusion scans were obtained on selected high-risk patients. After surgery, morbidity and mortality data were collected and correlated with preoperative data. Mortality and morbidity were retrospectively compared by algorithm-based risk groups.

RESULTS

Three hundred forty-six patients with suspected lung cancer from nine institutions underwent thoracotomy with or without resection; 57 study patients did not undergo thoracotomy. Patients who underwent surgery had a median survival time of 30.9 months, whereas patients who did not undergo surgery had a median survival time of 15.6 months. Among the 346 patients who underwent thoracotomy, 15 patients died postoperatively (4%), and 138 patients (39%) exhibited at least one cardiorespiratory complication postoperatively. We found that patients who had a peak exercise Vo2 of <65% of predicted (or a peak Vo2/kg <16 ml/min/kg) were more likely to suffer complications (p = 0.0001) and were also more likely to have a poor outcome (respiratory failure or death) if the peak Vo2 was <15 ml/min/kg (p = 0.0356). We also found a subset of 58 patients who did not meet FO algorithm criteria for operability, but who still tolerated lung resection with a 2% mortality rate.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data provide multicenter validation for the use of exercise Vo2 for preoperative assessment of lung cancer patients, and we encourage an aggressive approach when evaluating these patients for surgery.

Special Treatment Issues in Lung Cancer

BACKGROUND

This chapter of the guidelines addresses patients who have particular forms of non-small cell lung cancer that require special considerations. This includes patients with Pancoast tumors, T4N0,1M0 tumors, satellite nodules in the same lobe, synchronous and metachronous multiple primary lung cancers (MPLCs), solitary brain and adrenal metastases, and chest wall involvement.

METHODS

The nature of these special clinical cases is such that in most cases, metaanalyses or large prospective studies of patients are not available. For ensuring that these guidelines were supported by the most current data available, publications that were appropriate to the topics covered in this chapter were obtained by performance of a literature search of the MEDLINE computerized database. When possible, we also referenced other consensus opinion statements. Recommendations were developed by the writing committee, graded by a standardized method (see "Methodology for Lung Cancer Evidence Review and Guideline Development" chapter), and reviewed by all members of the lung cancer panel before approval by the Thoracic Oncology NetWork, Health and Science Policy Committee, and the Board of Regents of the American College of Chest Physicians.

RESULTS

In patients with a Pancoast tumor, a multimodality approach seems to be optimal, involving chemoradiotherapy and surgical resection, provided appropriate staging has been conducted. Patients with central T4 tumors that do not have mediastinal node involvement are uncommon. Such patients, however, seem to benefit from resection as part of the treatment as opposed to chemoradiotherapy alone when carefully staged and selected. Patients with a satellite lesion in the same lobe as the primary tumor have a good prognosis and require no modification of the approach to evaluation and treatment than what would be dictated by the primary tumor alone. However, it is difficult to know how best to treat patients with a focus of the same type of cancer in a different lobe. Although MPLCs do occur, the survival results after resection for either a synchronous presentation or a metachronous presentation with an interval of < 4 years between tumors are variable and generally poor, suggesting that many of these patients may have had a pulmonary metastasis rather than a second primary lung cancer. A thorough and careful evaluation of these patients is warranted to try to differentiate between patients with a metastasis and a second primary lung cancer, although criteria to distinguish them have not been defined. Selected patients with a solitary focus of metastatic disease in the brain or adrenal gland seem to benefit substantially from resection. This is particularly true in patients with a long disease-free interval. Finally, in patients with chest wall involvement, as long as tumors can be completely resected and there is absence of N2 nodal involvement, primary surgical treatment should be considered.

CONCLUSIONS

Carefully selected patients may benefit from an aggressive surgical approach.

Influence of preoperative exercise capacity on length of stay after thoracic cancer surgery

BACKGROUND

Stress testing is frequently used to assess cardiac risk before thoracic surgery. However, the relationship between treadmill exercise capacity and length of stay (LOS) has not been investigated. We hypothesized that exercise capacity, a strong predictor of long-term prognosis, can also predict LOS after thoracic cancer surgery.

METHODS

Accordingly, 191 consecutive patients who had exercise stress testing before major thoracic cancer surgery were retrospectively grouped by poor (<4 metabolic equivalents [METs], n = 31), fair (4 to 7 METs, n = 107), good (7 to 10 METs, n = 30), and excellent (>10 METs, n = 23) exercise capacity. The relationship between exercise capacity and LOS was then determined.

RESULTS

Average LOS was inversely related to exercise capacity, with a nearly twofold increase in LOS between the excellent and poor exercise groups (4.8 versus 9.2 days). This relationship remained significant even after controlling for operation type, history of dyspnea, sex, and smoking history in analysis of covariance. Prolonged hospital stay (10 days or more) was strongly predicted by exercise capacity. Failure to exceed 4 METs was associated with a high risk of prolonged stay (9 of 31, 39%), whereas none of the 23 patients who exceeded 10 METs had a prolonged stay.

CONCLUSIONS

Treadmill exercise capacity has independent predictive value for LOS and risk of prolonged stay after thoracic cancer surgery. These findings have important implications for risk assessment and cost, suggesting that preoperative programs designed to improve exercise capacity may favorably influence LOS and associated costs.

Open lobectomy for patients with stage I non-small cell lung cancer

Until additional multi-institutional, randomized, controlled trials provide evidence to the contrary, open lobectomy with mediastinal lymphadenectomy should be considered the gold standard for treating patients with stage I NSCLC with sufficient cardiopulmonary reserve, including older patients. It is the operation with which alternative pulmonary resections, including video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy and sublobar resection, should be compared. In treating stage I NSCLC patients, sublobar resection should be reserved for patients with inadequate physiologic reserve to tolerate lobectomy and for those enrolled in clinical trials.

Is the initial feasibility of lobectomy for stage I non-small cell lung cancer in severe heterogeneous emphysema justified by long-term survival?

BACKGROUND

The feasibility of anatomical lobectomy in patients with bronchial carcinoma in an area of severe heterogeneous emphysema whose respiratory reserve is outside operability guidelines has previously been confirmed. A review was undertaken to determine whether this approach is justified by long-term survival.

METHODS

A single surgeon's 8 year experience of 118 consecutive patients (74 men) of median age 70 years (range 45-84) who underwent upper lobectomy for pathological stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) was reviewed. The preoperative characteristics, perioperative course and survival of the 27 cases with severe heterogeneous emphysema of apical distribution and a predicted postoperative forced expiratory volume in 1 s (ppoFEV(1)) of <40% (lobarLVRS group) were compared with the remaining 91 cases with a ppoFEV(1) of >40% (control group).

RESULTS

Postoperative mortality was 1 of 27 in the lobarLVRS group and 2 of 91 in the control group (p = NS). Five-year survival in the lobarLVRS group was 35% compared with 65% in the control group without concomitant severe emphysema (p = 0.001), although rates of tumour recurrence were similar.

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term survival after lobarLVRS for stage I lung cancer is limited by physiological rather than oncological factors. However, outcomes are still better than those reported for any other modality of treatment in this group of high-risk patients. This finding justifies the decision to offer lobectomy in these selected cases.

Assessment of diaphragmatic motion after lung resection using magnetic resonance imaging

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to assess quantitatively the impairment of diaphragmatic motion after lung resection, with special reference to the location of the resected lobe, duration of the postoperative period, and patient posture. We used magnetic resonance imaging to make the assessments.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In 44 patients (29 men, 15 women; mean age 62.2 years) with lung cancer, diaphragmatic motion was measured during maximum deep, slow breathing using a spoiled gradient-recalled echo sequence before and after lung resection. The study group consisted of 34 patients who were examined using a 1.5-T unit in the supine position and 10 patients using a vertically open 0.5-T unit in both the sitting and supine positions. The influence of surgery site and patient posture on diaphragmatic motion after lung resection was investigated.

RESULTS

In all cases after lung resection, diaphragmatic motion on the operated side was significantly decreased (P < 0.001), and that on the nonoperated side was significantly increased (P = 0.045). After left upper lobectomy and right bilobectomy, the diaphragmatic motion on the operated side was significantly decreased (P < 0.001), and that of the other side was significantly increased (P < 0.001). The diaphragmatic motion was not significantly changed after right middle lobectomy. The diaphragmatic motion on the operated side was impaired significantly more (P = 0.035) in the supine position than in the sitting position.

CONCLUSION

After lobe resection, diaphragmatic motion was impaired more significantly in the supine than in the sitting position; and it differed according to the location of the resected lobe. The improvement in diaphragmatic function after lobectomy was observed over a period of 3-24 months.

Trial on refinement of early stage non-small cell lung cancer. Adjuvant chemotherapy with pemetrexed and cisplatin versus vinorelbine and cisplatin: the TREAT protocol

Background

Adjuvant chemotherapy has been proven to be beneficial for patients with early stage non-small cell lung cancer. However, toxicity and insufficient dose delivery have been critical issues with the chemotherapy used. Doublet regimens with pemetrexed, a multi-target folate inhibitor, and platin show clear activity in non-small cell lung cancer and are well tolerated with low toxicity rates and excellent delivery.

Methods/Design

In this prospective, multi-center, open label randomized phase II study, patients with pathologically confirmed non-small cell lung cancer, stage IB, IIA, IIB, T3N1 will be randomized after complete tumor resection either to 4 cycles of the standard adjuvant vinorelbine and cisplatin regimen from the published phase III data, or to 4 cycles of pemetrexed 500 mg/m2 d1 and cisplatin 75 mg/m2 d1, q 3 weeks. Primary objective is to compare the clinical feasibility of these cisplatin doublets defined as non-occurrence of grade 4 neutropenia and/or thrombocytopenia > 7 days or bleeding, grade 3/4 febrile neutropenia and/or infection, grade 3/4 non-hematological toxicity, non-acceptance leading to premature withdrawal and no cancer or therapy related death. Secondary parameters are efficacy (time to relapse, overall survival) and drug delivery. Parameters of safety are hematologic and non-hematologic toxicity of both arms.

Discussion

The TREAT trial was designed to evaluate the clinical feasibility, i.e. rate of patients without dose limiting toxicities or premature treatment withdrawal or death of the combination of cisplatin and pemetrexed as well as the published phase III regimen of cisplatin and vinorelbine. Hypothesis of the study is that reduced toxicities might improve the feasibility of drug delivery, compliance and the convenience of treatment for the patient and perhaps survival.

Trial Registration

Clinicaltrials.gov NCT00349089

Complications of lung resection and exercise capacity: a meta-analysis

RATIONALE

While exercise capacity, expressed as maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), has been proposed to be the best predictor of postoperative cardiopulmonary complications after surgical resection in lung cancer patients, the literature remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to use the meta-analytic approach to determine if VO2max, expressed as either ml kg(-1) min(-1) or as a percentage of predicted, differed between patients who develop postoperative cardiopulmonary complications versus those that do not.

METHODS

Studies were retrieved via (1) computerized literature searches, (2) cross referencing from retrieved articles, and (3) expert review of our reference list. Trials were included if they reported preoperative VO2max values (ml kg(-1) min(-1) or percentage of predicted) and had patients in which postoperative cardiopulmonary complications occurred.

RESULTS

Fourteen studies representing a total of 955 men and women met our criteria for inclusion. Across all designs and categories, random-effects modeling demonstrated that patients without postoperative pulmonary complications had significantly higher levels of VO2max in ml kg(-1) min(-1) (mean difference=3.0, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.9-4.0) as well as VO2max as a percentage of predicted (mean difference=8, 95% CI, 3.3-12.8).

CONCLUSION

After a systematic review of the literature, we found that exercise capacity, expressed as VO2max, is lower in patients that develop clinically relevant complications after curative lung resection. These results are important for the practicing clinician because they answer the literature controversy on the usefulness of measuring preoperative exercise capacity and reinforce the current guidelines on decision making for lung resection.

Predicted Versus Observed FEV1 and Dlco After Major Lung Resection: A Prospective Evaluation at Different Postoperative Periods

BACKGROUND

The objective of this study was to prospectively assess the agreement between predicted and observed postoperative values of forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and carbon monoxide lung diffusion capacity (DLCO) after major lung resection.

METHODS

Two hundred consecutive patients undergoing lobectomy or pneumonectomy for lung cancer in a single center were prospectively evaluated with complete preoperative and repeated postoperative measurements of FEV1 and DLCO. Predicted postoperative (ppo) values were compared with the observed postoperative values. The precision of ppoFEV1 and ppoDLCO at 3 months was subsequently evaluated by plotting the cumulative predicted postoperative values against the observed ones.

RESULTS

After lobectomy, observed values were 11% lower at discharge (p < 0.0001), and 6% higher at 3 months (p < 0.0001), compared with ppoFEV1. No differences were noted at 1 month. Observed DLCO values were 12% lower than predicted at discharge (p < 0.0001) and 10% higher than predicted at 3 months (p < 0.0001), without differences noted at 1 month. After pneumonectomy, no differences were noted between predicted and observed values of FEV1 at every evaluation time, and of DLCO at discharge and 1 month. However, the observed DLCO value was 17% higher than predicted at 3 months (p = 0.002). Plots of predicted and observed postoperative values at 3 months showed that ppoFEV1 predicted worse at lower levels of ppoFEV1, and ppoDLCO was constantly lower than the observed values at every ppoDLCO levels.

CONCLUSIONS

Given the imprecision of the prediction of postoperative function, particularly of gas exchange determinants and after pneumonectomy, and at low ppoFEV1 levels, the use of ppoFEV1 and ppoDLCO for risk stratification needs to be reconsidered.

Can clinical factors be determinants of bone metastases in non-small cell lung cancer?

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the correlations among symptoms, laboratory findings of bone metastasis and whole body bone scanning (WBBS) and the frequency of occurrence of bone metastases

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Hundred and six patients who were diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) between June 2001 and September 2005 were investigated retrospectively. Bone pain, detection of bone tenderness on physical examination, hypercalcemia and increased serum alkaline phosphatase were accepted clinical factors of bone metastases. Presence of multiple asymmetric lesions in WBBS was also accepted as bone metastases. Subjects whose clinical factors and WBBS indicated doubtful bone metastases were evaluated with magnetic resonance and/or biopsy.

RESULTS

Occurrence of bone metastases was 31.1% among all patients. Bone metastases were determined in 21 (52.5%) of 40 patients who had at least one clinical factor. Asymptomatic bone metastases without any clinical factors were established in 11.3% of all NSCLC patients and 15.3% of 26 operable patients. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy of the clinical factors of bone metastases were 63.6, 73.9, 52.5, 81.8 and 70.7% respectively. There was no significant relationship between histologic type and bone metastases. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy of WBBS in detection of bone metastases were 96.9, 86.3, 76.2, 98.4, 89.6% respectively.

CONCLUSION

Sensitivity and specificity of the clinical factors of bone metastases are quite low. Routine WBBS prevented futile thoracotomies. Therefore, routine WBBS should be performed in all NSCLC patients, even in the absence of bone-specific clinical factors.

Ventilation-perfusion scintigraphy to predict postoperative pulmonary function in lung cancer patients undergoing pneumonectomy

OBJECTIVE

The American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) recommends using quantitative perfusion scintigraphy to predict postoperative lung function in lung cancer patients with borderline pulmonary function tests who will undergo pneumonectomy. However, previous scintigraphic data were gathered on small cohorts more than a decade ago, when surgical populations were significantly different with respect to age and sex compared with typical lung cancer patients undergoing pneumonectomy in 2005. We therefore revisited the use of V/Q scintigraphy in pneumonectomy patients in predicting postoperative pulmonary function and the appropriateness of current clinical guidelines.

CONCLUSION

Contrary to ACCP guidelines, we found that ventilation scintigraphy alone provided the best correlation between the predicted and actual postoperative values and recommend its use to predict postoperative lung function. However, scintigraphic techniques may underestimate postoperative lung function, so caution is required before unnecessarily preventing a patient from undergoing surgery that offers a potential cure.

Usefulness of lung perfusion scintigraphy before lung cancer resection in patients with ventilatory obstruction

BACKGROUND

The study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of preoperative lung perfusion scintigraphy performed by planar acquisition and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) in predicting postoperative pulmonary function of patients with resectable lung cancer and obstructive ventilatory defect.

METHODS

The study enrolled 39 patients (mean age, 67 +/- 2.1 years). All patients underwent preoperative and postoperative pulmonary function tests. Cut-off values for postoperative forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) were 65% of the predicted value for pneumonectomy and 45% for lobectomy. A semiquantitative analysis of planar and SPECT lung perfusion scintigraphy images was performed preoperatively to estimate postoperative predicted FEV1 (FEV1ppo). Relationships between FEV1ppo and measured postoperative FEV1 were tested by the Pearson correlation and Bland Altman agreement tests.

RESULTS

Twenty-eight lobectomies and 11 pneumonectomies were performed. The FEV1ppo estimated by mean planar lung scintigraphy was 1.85 +/- 0.38 L, with a Pearson correlation coefficient to the measured FEV1 of 0.8632 (p < 0.001). The mean FEV1ppo estimated by SPECT was 1.78 +/- 0.31 L, with a Pearson coefficient to the measured FEV1 of 0.8527 (p < 0.001). Both values showed a more significant correlation with postoperative measured FEV1 after lobectomy (p < 0.001) than after pneumonectomy (p = 0.045). The Bland Altman test confirmed satisfactory agreement of FEV1ppo estimated by both planar lung scintigraphy and SPECT with FEV1 measured by spirometry.

CONCLUSIONS

Both planar lung scintigraphy and SPECT can accurately predict postoperative FEV1 and can therefore be considered reliable tools in establishing operability of patients with lung cancer and ventilatory obstruction.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) in early central lung cancer: a treatment option for patients ineligible for surgical resection

OBJECTIVES

To review the Yorkshire Laser Centre experience with bronchoscopic photodynamic therapy (PDT) in early central lung cancer in subjects not eligible for surgery and to discuss diagnostic problems and the indications for PDT in such cases.

METHODS

Of 200 patients undergoing bronchoscopic PDT, 21 had early central lung cancer and were entered into a prospective study. Patients underwent standard investigations including white light bronchoscopy in all and autofluorescence bronchoscopy in 12 of the most recent cases. Indications for bronchoscopic PDT were recurrence/metachronous endobronchial lesions following previous treatment with curative intent in 10 patients (11 lesions), ineligibility for surgery because of poor cardiorespiratory function in 8 patients (9 lesions) and declined consent to operation in 3 patients. PDT consisted of intravenous administration of Photofrin 2 mg/kg followed by bronchoscopic illumination 24-48 h later.

RESULTS

29 treatments were performed in 21 patients (23 lesions). There was no procedure-related or 30 day mortality. One patient developed mild skin photosensitivity. All patients expressed satisfaction with the treatment and had a complete response of variable duration. Six patients died at 3-103 months (mean 39.3), three of which were not as a result of cancer. Fifteen patients were alive at 12-82 months.

CONCLUSION

Bronchoscopic PDT in early central lung cancer can achieve long disease-free survival and should be considered as a treatment option in those ineligible for resection. Autofluorescence bronchoscopy is a valuable complementary investigation for identification of synchronous lesions and accurate illumination in bronchoscopic PDT.

Anticipating pulmonary complications after thoracotomy: the FLAM Score

Objective

Pulmonary complications after thoracotomy are the result of progressive changes in the respiratory status of the patient. A multifactorial score (FLAM score) was developed to identify postoperatively patients at higher risk for pulmonary complications at least 24 hours before the clinical diagnosis.

Methods

The FLAM score, created in 2002, is based on 7 parameters (dyspnea, chest X-ray, delivered oxygen, auscultation, cough, quality and quantity of bronchial secretions). To validate the FLAM score, we prospectively calculated scores during the first postoperative week in 300 consecutive patients submitted to posterolateral thoracotomy.

Results

During the study, 60 patients (20%) developed pulmonary complications during the postoperative period. The FLAM score progressively increased in complicated patients until the fourth postoperative day (mean 13.5 ± 11.9). FLAM scores in patients with complications were significantly higher (p < 0.05) at least 24 hours before the clinical diagnosis of complication, compared to FLAM scores in uncomplicated patients. ROC curves analysis showed that the cut-off value of FLAM with the best sensitivity and specificity for pulmonary complications was 9 (area under the curve 0.97). Based on the highest FLAM scores recorded, 4 risk classes were identified with increasing incidence of pulmonary complications and mortality.

Conclusion

Changes in FLAM score were evident at least 24 hours before the clinical diagnosis of pulmonary complications.

FLAM score can be used to categorize patients according to risk of respiratory morbidity and mortality and could be a useful tool in the postoperative management of patients undergoing thoracotomy.

Staging practices of primary non-small-cell lung cancer: a literature review

Lung cancer is the most frequent cause of cancer deaths worldwide, and non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for approximately 80% of all cases. Stage at diagnosis is the most important indicator of survival. Various non-invasive and invasive procedures are available for NSCLC staging. However, the precise indications for performing these procedures remain controversial. There is no evidence about the level of variability in practice of imaging and invasive procedures used for NSCLC staging. Their high costs contribute to the controversy about their use. We performed a literature search on the MEDLINE database to identify studies reporting practice of staging for a nonselected group of patients with NSCLC. Only seven studies enrolling between 185 and 2,071 patients reported NSCLC staging practices. These studies were reviewed to identify patterns in practice of staging work-up and consecutive treatment. Lack of detailed reporting limits the interpretation of the results. Based on our review, future investigations should be conducted to determine the extent of variation in patterns of physician practices of NSCLC staging and their impact on the treatment practice or patient survival.

Incidence, duration and causes of intensive care unit admission following pulmonary resection for malignancy

BACKGROUND

We assessed the overall incidence and duration of ICU admission following pulmonary resection and attempted to identify patients requiring prolonged ICU stay.

METHODS

Analysis of prospectively collected data on all patients undergoing pulmonary resection for suspected malignant disease that subsequently required ICU admission between March 2002 and October 2003.

RESULTS

Of 170 patients 52 (30%) needed intensive care post-operatively: 21 (12%) for less than 24 h and 31 (18%) for more, for which group the average length of stay was 11.3 days. There was no significant difference between the patient groups at ICU admission in terms of median APACHE II scores (12 vs. 14), gas exchange (PaO2/FIO2, 441 vs. 364 mmHg), estimated post-operative absolute FEV1 (1.62 vs. 1.31 l) or predicted percentage FEV1 (61.8% vs. 44.3%). Mean ICU cost was 1,838 sterling pounds vs. 25,974 sterling pounds per admission, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Following pulmonary resection some 18% of patients need a protracted ICU stay at considerable cost. Neither severity of illness scoring, indices of gas exchange at ICU admission, nor predicted post-operative FEV1 identifies such patients.

Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery Pulmonary Resection for Lung Cancer in Patients with Poor Lung Function

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study is to evaluate the early outcome of patients with poor lung function who underwent video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) pulmonary resection for primary non-small cell lung carcinoma.

METHODS

We reviewed retrospectively the records of patients with lung cancer undergoing VATS lung resection over a period of 5 years. Twenty-five patients with preoperative poor lung function defined as forced expiratory volume in 1 second less than 0.8 L or the percentage predicted value for forced expiratory volume in 1 second less than 50% were identified. Thirteen patients underwent VATS lobectomies and 12 VATS wedge resections. Data were analyzed with respect to demographics, risk factors, and early postoperative outcome and survival.

RESULTS

There were 8 cases of morbidities (29%) and no surgical mortality. Five of these 8 patients had respiratory-related complications after surgery. A deterioration in pulmonary performance as indicated by the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) score was seen in 7 patients (28%), with only 1 patient having an ECOG score greater than 2. No patient required home oxygen supplementation beyond the third month postoperatively. After a median follow-up period of 15.1 months (range, 1 to 24), 5 patients died. Only 1 patient (4%) died of a respiratory complication (pneumonia 6 weeks after surgery). The other 4 deaths were due to recurrent or metastatic disease. The actuarial survival rates at 1 and 2 years were 80% and 69%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Video-assisted thoracic surgery pulmonary resection for cancer in patients with poor lung function can achieve acceptable functional and oncologic outcome.

Operative Mortality and Respiratory Complications After Lung Resection for Cancer: Impact of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Time Trends

BACKGROUND

Smoking is a common risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cardiovascular disease, and lung cancer. In this observational study, we examined the impact of COPD severity and time-related changes in early outcome after lung cancer resection.

METHODS

Over a 15-year period, we analyzed an institutional registry including all consecutive patients undergoing surgery for lung cancer. Using the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve, we analyzed the relationship between forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and postoperative mortality and respiratory morbidity. Multiple regression analysis has also been applied to identify other risk factors.

RESULTS

A preoperative FEV1 less than 60% was a strong predictor for respiratory complications (odds ratio [OR] = 2.7, confidence interval [CI]: 1.3 to 6.6) and 30-day mortality (OR = 1.9, CI: 1.2 to 3.9), whereas thoracic epidural analgesia was associated with lower mortality (OR = 0.4; CI: 0.2 to 0.8) and respiratory complications (OR = 0.6; CI: 0.3 to 0.9). Mortality was also related to age greater than 70 years, the presence of at least three cardiovascular risk factors, and pneumonectomy. From the period 1990 to 1994, to 2000 to 2004, we observed significant reductions in perioperative mortality (3.7% versus 2.4%) and in the incidence of respiratory complications (18.7% versus 15.2%), that was associated with a higher rate of lesser resection (from 11% to 17%, p < 0.05) and increasing use of thoracic epidural analgesia (from 65% to 88%, p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative FEV1 less than 60% is a main predictor of perioperative mortality and respiratory morbidity. Over the last 5-year period, diagnosis of earlier pathologic cancer stages resulting in lesser pulmonary resection as well as provision of continuous thoracic epidural analgesia have contributed to improved surgical outcome.