National Analysis of Short-Term Outcomes After Pulmonary Resections on Cardiopulmonary Bypass

Atrial resection for T4 non-small cell lung cancer with left atrium involvement: a systematic review and meta-analysis of survival

PURPOSE

Extended resection for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with T4 left atrium involvement is controversial. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the short- and long-term outcomes of this treatment strategy.

METHODS

We searched the PubMed database for studies on atrial resection in NSCLC patients. The primary investigated outcome was the effectiveness of the surgery represented by survival data and the secondary outcomes were postoperative morbidity, mortality, and recurrence.

RESULTS

Our search identified 18 eligible studies including a total of 483 patients. Eleven studies reported median overall survival and 17 studies reported overall survival rates. The estimated pooled 1, 3, 5-year overall survival rates were 69.1% (95% CI 61.7-76.0%), 21.5% (95% CI 12.3-32.3%), and 19.9% (95% CI 13.9-26.6%), respectively. The median overall survival was 24 months (95% CI 17.7-27 months). Most studies reported significant associations between better survival and N0/1 status, complete resection status, and neoadjuvant therapy.

CONCLUSION

Extended lung resection, including the left atrium, for NSCLC is feasible with acceptable morbidity and mortality when complete resection is achieved. Lymph node N0/1 status coupled with the use of neoadjuvant therapies is associated with better outcomes.

Initial extended resection or neoadjuvant therapy for T4 non-small cell lung cancer-What is the evidence?

Locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tumors that invade surrounding structures within the chest (T4) are a heterogeneous group, and, as such, there are no straightforward guidelines for their management. Advances in imaging, invasive mediastinal staging, and neoadjuvant therapies have expanded the role of surgery with curative intent for this patient group and have also diminished the rate of explorative thoracotomies. Unlike for T4 superior sulcus tumors, the use of neoadjuvant therapy for central T4 tumors is not clearly defined. The most important determinants of a successful outcome after surgery are achieving an R0 resection and avoiding incidental pathologic N2 disease. Use of neoadjuvant therapy in this setting may yield better outcomes after surgery, as both of these variables can be altered if the tumor responds to neoadjuvant therapy. Moreover, response to induction therapy has been shown to have prognostic value.