Prognostic impact of lymphadenectomy on outcomes of sublobar resection for stage IA non–small cell lung cancer ≤2 cm

Impact of number of dissected lymph nodes on recurrence and survival following thoracoscopic segmentectomy for clinical stage I non-small cell lung cancer

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to identify the impact of number of dissected lymph nodes during thoracoscopic segmentectomy on recurrence and survival of clinical stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We retrospectively analysed data from prospectively collected consecutive thoracoscopic segmentectomies conducted between June 2008 and September 2023 at a single institution. Kaplan-Meier analysis with log-rank test assessed OS. Fine-Gray's test assessed specific death in a competing risk model. The logistic regression model was utilized to predict recurrence, while the Cox regression model was employed to analyse overall survival (OS). Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were performed.

RESULTS

A total of 227 patients were included in the final analyses. The mean follow-up was 38.4 months (standard deviation 35.8). Among all patients, 37 patients (16.3 %) experienced recurrence and 51 (22.5 %) deceased during the follow-up period. The median number of dissected lymph nodes was 9 (interquartile range (IQR) 6-12). No statistical difference in recurrence rate and 5-year OS was observed between cases with dissected lymph nodes > 9 and ≤ 9 (14.6 % vs. 17.6 %, p = 0.549; 75.5 % vs. 69.5 %, p = 0.760). On multivariable analysis, body mass index (odds ratio [OR] 1.15, p = 0.002), Charlson Comorbidity index (OR 1.28, p = 0.002), synchronous pulmonary cancer (OR 3.05, p = 0.019), and tumour size (OR 1.04, p = 0.044) increased of the recurrence rate, while percentage of predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 s (hazard ratio (HR) 1.09, p = 0.048), history of smoking (HR 1.02, p = 0.009), and solid nodule (HR 1.56, p = 0.010) was related to poorer survival.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, number of dissected lymph nodes did not impact recurrence rate or overall survival after thoracoscopic segmentectomy for clinical stage I NSCLC.

Prognostic Factors of Non-Predominant-Lepidic Lung Adenocarcinoma Presenting as Ground Glass Opacity: Results of a Multicenter Study

This study aims to define the clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of non-predominant lepidic invasive adenocarcinoma presenting as Ground Glass Opacity (GGO) nodules. The goal is to assess statistical relationships between histology, tumor size, location, and the incidence of relapse and lymph node dissemination. A retrospective multicenter study was conducted, including patients with GGO observed on CT scans between 2003 and 2021. Anamnestic, radiological, and histological data, as well as SUV values, lymphatic and vascular invasion, pathological stage, resection type, and adjuvant treatment, were analyzed. The primary endpoints were to evaluate prognostic factors for death and recurrence using Cox regression analysis. All 388 patients, including 277 with non-predominant lepidic invasive adenocarcinoma and 161 with lepidic adenocarcinoma, underwent curative anatomical resection. Non-predominant lepidic invasive adenocarcinoma demonstrated a worse prognosis than lepidic adenocarcinoma (p = 0.001). Independent prognostic factors for death and recurrence included lymph node involvement (p = 0.002) and vascular and lymphatic invasion (p < 0.001). In conclusion, non-predominant lepidic invasive adenocarcinoma and lymphatic and vascular invasion are prognostic factors for death and recurrence in GGO patients. Results suggest adjuvant treatment in the case of pN1-N2 disease, emphasizing the necessity of lymphadenectomy (sampling or systematic) for accurate staging and subsequent therapeutic procedures.

Is wedge a dirty word? Demographic and facility-level variables associated with high-quality wedge resection

Objectives

Although sublobar resections have gained traction, wedge resections vary widely in quality. We seek to characterize the demographic and facility-level variables associated with high-quality wedge resections.

Methods

The National Cancer Database was queried from 2010 to 2018. Patients with T1/T2 N0 M0 non-small cell lung cancer 2 cm or less who underwent wedge resection without neoadjuvant therapy were included. A wedge resection with no nodes sampled or with positive margins was categorized as a low-quality wedge. A wedge resection with 4 or more nodes sampled and negative margins was categorized as a high-quality wedge. Facility-specific variables were investigated via quartile analysis based on the overall volume and proportion of high-quality wedge or low-quality wedge resections performed.

Results

A total of 21,742 patients met inclusion criteria, 6390 (29.4%) of whom received a high-quality wedge resection. Factors associated with high-quality wedge resection included treatment at an academic center (3005 [47.0%] vs low-quality wedge 6279 [40.9%]; P < .001). The 30- and 90-day survivals were similar, but patients who received a high-quality wedge resection had improved 5-year survival (4902 [76.7%] vs 10,548 [68.7%]; P < .001). Facilities in the top quartile by volume of high-quality wedge resections performed 69% (4409) of all high-quality wedge resections, and facilities in the top quartile for low-quality wedge resections performed 67.6% (10,378) of all low-quality wedge resections. A total of 113 facilities were in the top quartile by volume for both high-quality wedge and low-quality wedge resections.

Conclusions

High-quality wedge resections are associated with improved 5-year survival when compared with low-quality wedge resections. By volume, high-quality wedge and low-quality wedge resections cluster to a minority of facilities, many of which overlap. There is discordance between best practice guidelines and current practice patterns that warrants additional study.

Lymph Node Metastases in Surgically Resected Solitary Ground-Glass Opacities: A Two-Center Retrospective Cohort Study and Pooled Literature Analysis

BACKGROUND

An increasing body of evidence supports the noninferiority of sublobar resection compared with lobectomy in terms of survival for patients with early-stage lung cancer with ground-glass opacities (GGOs). However, few studies have focused on the incidence of lymph node (LN) metastases in these patients. We aimed to analyze N1 and N2 lymph node involvement in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with GGO components stratified with different consolidation tumor ratio (CTR).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We performed two-center studies by retrospectively reviewing a total of 864 patients with NSCLC with semisolid or pure GGO manifestation (diameter ≤ 3 cm). Clinicopathologic features and outcomes were analyzed. We also reviewed 35 studies to characterize the patient with NSCLC population with the GGO manifestation.

RESULTS

In both cohorts, there was no LN involvement for pure GGO NSCLC, while solid predominant GGO exhibited a relatively high LN involvement rate. On the basis of a pooled literature analysis, the incidence of pathologic mediastinal LN was 0% and 3.8% for pure and semisolid GGOs, respectively. GGO NSCLCs with CTR ≤ 0.5 also had rare LN involvement (0.1%).

CONCLUSIONS

From two cohorts and pooled literature analysis, LN involvement was not observed in patients with pure GGO, and very few patients with semisolid GGO NSCLC with CTR ≤ 0.5 had LN involvement, revealing that it may be unnecessary to perform lymphadenectomy for pure GGOs, while mediastinal lymph node sampling (MLNS) is enough for semisolid GGOs with CTR ≤ 0.5. For the patients with GGO CTR > 0.5, mediastinal lymphadenectomy (MLD) or MLNS should be considered.

National trends in the quality of segmentectomy for lung cancer

OBJECTIVE

Segmentectomy has become an accepted procedure for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer. Adequate lymph node sampling, sufficient margins, and proper tumor size selection are factors vital for achieving outcomes comparable to lobectomy. Previous studies have demonstrated poor adherence to lymph node sampling guidelines. However, national trends in the quality of segmentectomy and implications on survival are unknown.

METHODS

The National Cancer Database was used to identify patients with clinical stage I to IIA non-small cell lung cancer surgically treated between 2004 and 2018. Facility-level trends in extent of resection and segmentectomy odds of adherence to (1) 2014 Commission on Cancer guidelines of sampling 10 or more lymph nodes, (2) negative (R0) resection margins, and (3) tumor size 2 cm or less were determined. Propensity score matching was based on segmentectomy adherence to (4) a composite of all measures, and survival was evaluated with Cox models and Kaplan-Meier survival estimates.

RESULTS

The study included 249,391 patients with 4.4% (n = 11,006) treated with segmentectomy. The proportion of segmentectomies performed annually increased from 3.3% in 2004 to 6.1% in 2018 (P < .001). Overall, 12.6% (n = 1385) of patients who underwent segmentectomy between 2004 and 2018 were adherent to all measures, and adherence was more likely at academic programs (odds ratio, 1.56; 95% confidence interval, 1.14-2.15) than nonacademic programs (P < .001, reference). Adherence to all measures was associated with improved survival (hazard ratio, 0.67; 95% confidence interval, 0.56-0.79).

CONCLUSIONS

As segmentectomy is increasingly established as a valid oncological option for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer, it is important that quality remains high. This study demonstrates that continued improvement is needed.

Exploration of the optimal number of regional lymph nodes removed for resected N0 NSCLC patients: A population-based study

Background

The aim of our study was to explore the optimal number of regional lymph nodes removed (LNRs) in resected N0 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients and identify potential risk factors.

Methods

Included in this study were 55,024 N0 NSCLC patients between 2004 and 2015 based on the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database (SEER). All the patients were divided into No LNR group (57.8%), 1-3 LNRs group (8.1%) and ≥4 LNRs group (31.4%). Relevant clinical and patient parameters including overall survival (OS), lung cancer-specific survival (LCSS), gender, race, year of diagnosis, primary site, T stage, AJCC stage, laterality, histological type, lymphadenectomy, radiation, chemotherapy, age at diagnosis, insurance status, marital status, family income.

Results

Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated LNRs had significantly better OS and LCSS than No LNRs in all the N0 NSCLC patients with different T stages (Logrank p<.001). Univariate and multivariate analysis showed that both OS and LCSS in ≥ 4 LNRs group were better than those in <1-3 LNRs group (OS: ≥4 LNRs group: HR, 0.583; 95%CI, 0.556-0.610; P<.001 vs.1-3 LNRs group: HR, 0.726; 95%CI, 0.687-0.769; P<.001; LCSS: ≥4 LNRs group: HR, 0.514; 95%CI, 0.480-0.550; P<.001 vs.1-3 LNRs group: HR, 0.647; 95%CI, 0.597-0.702; P<.001). In addition, whites, males, not upper lobe, large cell carcinoma and others, advance T stage or AJCC stage, no surgery, no LNR, no radiation, no chemotherapy, elder age at diagnosis, singled marital status and low family income had negative impact on prognosis of N0 NSCLC patients.

Conclusions

Our study suggests that ≥ 4 LNRs can yield better survival outcomes compared with 1-3 LNRs in N0 NSCLC patients.

Robotic and video-assisted lobectomy/segmentectomy for non-small cell lung cancer have similar perioperative outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

At present, the clinical conclusion that robotic-assisted thoracic surgery (RATS) and video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS), which is better for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is not clear. Therefore, this meta-analysis aimed to compare the perioperative outcomes between RATS and VATS for NSCLC.

Methods

The Population, Interventions, Comparators, Outcomes, and Study design (PICOS) framework was employed to develop the search strategy, and the findings was reported in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. We searched EMbase, The Cochrane Library, PubMed, Web of Science, CNKI, and Wan Fang Data to collect clinical studies about RATS vs. VATS for patients with NSCLC from inception to October 2019. The following outcomes were measured: rate of conversion to thoracotomy, postoperative complications, postoperative hospital mortality, lymph node dissection, hospitalization time, operating time, and postoperative drainage days. Estimation of potential publication bias was conducted by Begg’s test and Egger’s test. The Standardized Mean Difference (SMD) and Odds Ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were pooled using Stata 15.0 software.

Results

A total of 18 studies involving 60,349 patients were included. Among them, 8,726 cases were in the RATS group, and 51,623 were in the VATS group. The results of meta-analysis showed that the operation time of RATS group was longer than that of VATS group (SMD=0.532, 95% CI: 0.391–0.674, P=0.000). And the further meta-analysis suggested that the incidence of postoperative complications was lower in patients who underwent RATS after 2015 (OR=0.848, 95% CI: 0.748–0.962, P=0.010). Meanwhile, there was no significant difference between both groups in postoperative hospitalization time (SMD=0.003, 95% CI: −0.104–0.110, P=0.957). In addition, more lymph nodes were retrieved in RATS group than VATS (SMD=0.308, 95% CI: 0.131–0.486, P=0.001). However, the conversion rate, retrieved lymph node station, days to tube removal and in-hospital mortality rate have no significant differences between both groups.

Discussion

The current meta-analysis indicates that the perioperative outcomes of RATS and VATS for NSCLC are equivalence. Due to the limited quantity and quality of included studies, the above conclusions still need to be verified by more high-quality studies.

Which will carry more weight when CTR > 0.5, solid component size, CTR, tumor size or SUVmax?

BACKGROUND

This study was conducted to explore the clinical significance of the maximum standard uptake value (SUVmax) in the clinical stage IA lung adenocarcinoma with tumor size ≤ 2 cm and consolidation to tumor ratio (CTR) > 0.5.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed non-small cell lung cancer patients who underwent surgeries between January 2014 and March 2017. Clinical stage IA lung adenocarcinoma patients with tumor of size ≤ 2 cm and CTR > 0.5 were enrolled. The patients were divided into two groups: part-solid and pure-solid based on whether CTR = 1.0 or not. Nodules with any amount of solid or micropapillary components were regarded as the high-risk subtype. Time-dependent ROC curve was used to determine the best cut-off value. Finally, we analyzed the relationship between SUVmax, high-risk subtypes, node metastasis and 5-year relapse-free survival and overall survival.

RESULTS

Totally, 270 patients were included. The distribution of pathological subtypes (p < 0.001), SUVmax (p < 0.001), and pathological N stage (p < 0.001) were different between the two groups. Multivariable analysis indicated that SUVmax could predict high-risk subtypes in cases of part-solid nodules (p < 0.001) and both high-risk subtypes (p = 0.022) and node metastasis (p < 0.001) in cases of pure-solid ones. SUVmax ≥ 2.6 and SUVmax ≥ 5.1 were strongly associated with 5-year relapse-free survival (p < 0.001) and 5-year overall survival (p < 0.001) among all the patients, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Part-solid nodules with 0.5 < CTR < 1 and pure-solid nodules in lung adenocarcinoma show different clinicopathological characteristics, especially in SUVmax. SUVmax is significantly associated with high-risk subtypes, node metastasis, 5-year relapse-free survival and overall survival.

Comparative analysis of the long-term outcomes of segmentectomy and lobectomy for stage IA1 lung adenocarcinoma in patients with or without previous malignancy of other organs: a population-based study

BACKGROUND

For early stage non-small cell lung cancer, whether limited resection can yield comparable outcomes to those of lobectomy hasn't been established. We compared Overall survival (OS) and lung cancer-specific survival (LCSS) after segmentectomy or lobectomy in stage IA1 (≤10 mm) lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) patients.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We retrospectively recruited patients who'd been diagnosed with lung cancer for the first time and treated with segmentectomy or lobectomy, with or without previous other malignancy.

RESULTS

1788 patients were included. After propensity score matching: 5-year OS were 85.6% for segmentectomy and 84.7% for lobectomy (p=0.951); 5-year LCSS were 93.5% for segmentectomy; and 93.0% for lobectomy (p=0.726). Cox regression analysis revealed segmentectomy was comparable to lobectomy in OS and LCSS. Having a second lung cancer later in life was associated with a worse LCSS for lobectomy (p<0.05) rather than segmentectomy. After patients were stratified according to malignancy history, subgroup analyses showed no significant prognosis differences between two surgeries.

CONCLUSIONS

For stage IA1 LUAD patients who were diagnosed with lung cancer for the first time, with or without previous other malignancy, segmentectomy yields comparable outcomes to those of lobectomy. It may provide better outcomes for patients with multiple suspicious nodules.

What Should Thoracic Surgeons Consider during Surgery for Ground-Glass Nodules?: Lymph Node Dissection

Thoracic surgeons need to be aware of several important points regarding intraoperative lymph node dissection during surgery for non-small cell lung cancer with ground-glass opacities. The first point relates to the need for lymph node dissection during sublobar resection. Since even patients undergoing sublobar resection may benefit from lymph node dissection, it should be selectively performed according to adequate indications, which require further study. Second, there seems to be no difference in postoperative morbidity between systematic sampling and systematic dissection, but the survival benefit from systematic dissection remains unclear. The results of randomized controlled trials on this topic are conflicting, and their evidence is jeopardized by a high risk of bias in terms of the study design. Therefore, further randomized controlled trials with a sound design should investigate this issue. Third, more favorable survival outcomes tend to be positively associated with the number of examined lymph nodes. Minimum requirements for the number of examined lymph nodes in non-small cell lung cancer should be defined in the future. Finally, lobe-specific lymph node dissection does not have a negative prognostic impact. It should not be routinely performed, but it can be recommended in selected patients with smaller, less invasive tumors. Results from an ongoing randomized controlled trial on this topic should be awaited.

Clinical Significance of Regional Lymph Node Evaluation during Sublobar Resection in Lung Cancer

BACKGROUND

This study evaluated the prognostic effect of regional lymph node evaluation (LNE) in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who underwent sublobar resection based on harvested node stations.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the data of patients with NSCLC who underwent sublobar resection at Asan Medical Center between 2007-2016. To adjust for the differences in confounding variables between the groups, propensity score-based inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) was performed.

RESULTS

In the LNE group with pathological N0 disease (n = 522), 458 (87.7%) patients underwent both N1 and N2 LNE (N1 + N2 group) and 64 (12.3%) underwent only N2 LNE (N2 alone group). The N1 + N2 group had better prognosis before (p < 0.001) and after IPTW adjustment (p = 0.019). Similar results were obtained even in patients with tumor size ≤ 2 cm (p = 0.032) or who underwent wedge resection (p = 0.041). According to IPTW-adjusted multivariable analysis, the performance of regional LNE was a significant prognostic factor for survival outcome (hazard ratio [95% confidence interval] = 0.45 [0.27-0.74], p = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

LNE is a critical process during sublobar resection in patients with NSCLC. Regional LNE during sublobar resection can significantly affect clinical outcomes even in patients with wedge resection or with tumor size < 2 cm.

VATS Versus Open Lobectomy in Pathological T1 SCLC: A Multi-Center Retrospective Analysis

BACKGROUND

Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) has been widely used in the surgical treatment of thoracic diseases, and it suggested surgical and oncological advantages compared with open surgery. However, reports on the application of VATS in surgery of small cell lung cancer (SCLC) are scarce. This study aimed to explore the advantages and disadvantages of different surgical approaches in the treatment of pathological stage T1(pT1) SCLC in terms of safety, clinical outcomes, and lymph node dissection.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients who underwent lobectomy for pT1 SCLC between January 2014 and September 2017 were identified from the National Collaborative Lung Cancer Database (LinkDoc Database). The patients were stratified based on the surgery approach (VATS or open lobectomy). Perioperative outcomes and long-term survival were analyzed using SPSS software.

RESULTS

A total of 169 patients with pT1 SCLC met the criteria and were enrolled for this study, including 110 cases of VATS lobectomies and 59 cases of open lobectomies. VATS lobectomy was associated with less blood loss than open surgery (168.1 ± 237.4 vs. 340.0 ± 509.8 mL, P = .002). Open lobectomy harvested more N2 LNs (11.8 ± 8.2 vs. 8.4 ± 5.8, P = .048) and identified more metastasis positive LNs (3.1 ± 6.0 vs. 1.4 ± 3.0, P = .050). Open lobectomy associated with longer overall survival (OS) but has no statistical difference (23.4 ± 13.2 vs. 20.2 ± 10.9, P = .070).

CONCLUSION

Open lobectomy had better lymph node dissection results, and comparable postoperative complications, postoperative hospital stay, and OS to VATS lobectomy. Further studies may still be needed to confirm the recommendation of thoracoscopic approach as a routine surgical procedure for operable SCLC, and until then, open surgery should still be considered.

Comparison of Lobectomy and Sublobar Resection for Stage IA Elderly NSCLC Patients (≥70 Years): A Population-Based Propensity Score Matching's Study

Background

To investigate the differences in survival between lobectomy and sub-lobar resection for elderly stage I non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) registry.

Method

The data of stage IA elderly NSCLC patients (≥ 70 years) with tumors less than or equal to 3 cm in diameter were extracted. Propensity-matched analysis was used. Lung cancer-specific survival (LCSS) was compared among the patients after lobectomy and sub-lobar resection. The proportional hazards model was applied to identify multiple prognostic factors.

Results

A total of 3,504 patients met criteria after propensity score matching (PSM). Although the LCSS was better for lobectomy than for sub-lobar resection in patients with tumors ≤ 3 cm before PSM (p < 0.001), no significant difference in the LCSS was identified between the two treatment groups after PSM (p = 0.191). Multivariate Cox regression showed the elder age, male gender, squamous cell carcinoma (SQC) histology type, poor/undifferentiated grade and a large tumor size were associated with poor LCSS. The subgroup analysis of tumor sizes, histologic types and lymph nodes (LNs) dissection, there were also no significant difference for LCSS between lobectomy and sub-lobar resection. The sub-lobar resection was further divided into segmentectomy or wedge resection, and it demonstrated that no significant differences in LCSS were identified among the treatment subgroups either. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that the elder age, poor/undifferentiated grade and a large tumor size were a statistically significant independent factor associated with survival.

Conclusion

In terms of LCSS, lobectomy has no significant advantage over sub-lobar resection in elderly patients with stage IA NSCLC if lymph node assessment is performed adequately. The present data may contribute to develop a more suitable surgical treatment strategy for the stage IA elderly NSCLC patients.

Optimal Surgery Type and Adjuvant Therapy for T1N0M0 Lung Large Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma

Background

The appropriate treatment strategy for T1N0M0 lung large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) was not well illustrated. We evaluated the efficacy of different surgery types and adjuvant therapy on patients with T1N0M0 LCNEC.

Methods

Patients diagnosed T1N0M0 LCNEC from 2004 to 2016 were identified in the surveillance, epidemiology, and end results (SEER) database. Clinical characteristics, treatment and survival data were collected. The efficacy of surgery type and adjuvant therapy stratified by tumor size was assessed. Overall survival(OS) was evaluated by the Kaplan-Meier method, and relevant survival variables were identified by the Cox proportional hazard model.

Results

From 2004 to 2016, 425 patients were included in this study, 253 (59.5%) patients received lobectomy, and 236 (55.5%) patients had 4 or more lymph nodes removed. Patients received lobectomy had better survival than those received sublobar resection(P=0.000). No matter tumor size less than 2 cm or 2 to 3 cm, lobectomy was significantly prolonged survival. Compared with no lymph nodes removed, lymph nodes dissection was associated with more remarkable OS(P<0.000). 4 or more regional lymph nodes dissection predicted better OS compared with 1 to 3 regional lymph nodes dissection(P=0.014). After surgery, adjuvant chemotherapy did not contribute to extended survival in patients with tumor less than 2 cm(P=0.658), and possibly for tumor 2 to 3 cm(P=0.082). Multivariate analysis showed that age and lobectomy were independent prognostic factors(P=0.000).

Conclusion

Our results suggest that lobectomy and lymph nodes dissection were associated with significantly better survival. Extensive regional lymph node dissection(4 or more) was more effective in prolonging survival than 1 to 3 lymph nodes dissection. Adjuvant chemotherapy was not associated with extended survival for tumor less than 2 cm, and possibly for tumor 2 to 3 cm.

Prognostic Significance of Lymph Node Count Removed at Sublobar Resection in Pathologic Stage IA Non-Small-cell Lung Cancer: A Population-Based Analysis

BACKGROUND

We sought to elucidate the associations between the examined lymph node (ELN) count and survival after sublobar resection (SLR) in pathologic stage IA non-small-cell lung cancer and assess the survival efficacy for patients undergoing SLR with an adequate ELN count compared with lobar resection (LR).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The newly released U.S. Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database was queried. The association between the ELN count in SLR and survival was analyzed using Cox regression and propensity score matching analyses. The optimal cutoff for the ELN count in SLR was determined using the Chow test and "segmented" function. Survival differences between SLR with an adequate ELN count and LR were compared using the log-rank test.

RESULTS

A total of 16,630 lobectomies, 3979 wedge resections, and 1119 segmentectomies were included in the present study. The median ELN count was 3 (interquartile range [IQR], 1-7), 1 (IQR, 0-4), and 7 (IQR, 4-12) for segmentectomy, wedge resection, and lobectomy, respectively (P < .001). The optimal cutoff for ELNs was 2.40 (IQR, 2.15-2.65) and 2.59 (IQR, 2.19-3.00) for patients undergoing wedge and segmental resection. SLR patients with ≥ 3 ELNs showed better overall survival and lung cancer-specific survival compared with those with < 3 ELNs. SLR patients with ≥ 3 ELNs had a noninferior prognosis compared with LR patients after matching of potential confounders.

CONCLUSIONS

In SLR, an adequate ELN count (≥ 3) could confer an improved prognosis compared with an inadequate ELN count (< 3). SLR patients with an adequate ELN count had noninferior survival outcomes compared with LR patients when the ELNs were well matched.

An Externally-Validated Dynamic Nomogram Based on Clinicopathological Characteristics for Evaluating the Risk of Lymph Node Metastasis in Small-Size Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

Background: Lymph node metastasis (LNM) status is of key importance for the decision-making on treatment and survival prediction. There is no reliable method to precisely evaluate the risk of LNM in NSCLC patients. This study aims to develop and validate a dynamic nomogram to evaluate the risk of LNM in small-size NSCLC.

Methods: The NSCLC ≤ 2 cm patients who underwent initial pulmonary surgery were retrospectively reviewed and randomly divided into a training cohort and a validation cohort as a ratio of 7:3. The training cohort was used for the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression to select optimal variables. Based on variables selected, the logistic regression models were developed, and were compared by areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUCs) and decision curve analysis (DCA). The optimal model was used to plot a dynamic nomogram for calculating the risk of LNM and was internally and externally well-validated by calibration curves.

Results: LNM was observed in 12.0% (83/774) of the training cohort and 10.1% (33/328) of the validation cohort (P = 0.743). The optimal model was used to plot a nomogram with six variables incorporated, including tumor size, carcinoembryonic antigen, imaging density, pathological type (adenocarcinoma or non-adenocarcinoma), lymphovascular invasion, and pleural invasion. The nomogram model showed excellent discrimination (AUC = 0.895 vs. 0.931) and great calibration in both the training and validation cohorts. At the threshold probability of 0–0.8, our nomogram adds more net benefits than the treat-none and treat-all lines in the decision curve.

Conclusions: This study firstly developed a cost-efficient dynamic nomogram to precisely and expediently evaluate the risk of LNM in small-size NSCLC and would be helpful for clinicians in decision-making.

Prognostic value of log odds of positive lymph nodes in node-positive lung squamous cell carcinoma patients after surgery: a SEER population-based study

Background

Log odds of positive lymph nodes (LODDS) is a novel and promising ratio-based lymph node (LN) staging system in many malignancies. This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of LODDS, and comprehensively compare the prognostic predictive performance of LODDS with the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) N classification, number of positive lymph node (NPLN), and lymph node ratio (LNR) among node-positive lung squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) patients after surgery.

Methods

We identified 2,561 patients with N1/N2 stage SCC diagnosed between 2004 and 2014 from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. X-tile analysis was used to calculate the optimal cut-off value for each staging system. Univariable and Multivariable Cox regression analyses were used to assess the association of cancer-specific survival (CSS), and overall survival (OS) with N, NPLN, LNR, and LODDS, separately, and integrally. Moreover, linear trend χ² score, likelihood ratio (LR) test, Akaike information criterion (AIC), and Harrell concordance index (C-index) were adopted as criteria for assessing the predictive ability of each model.

Results

The optimal cut-off values for NPLN, LNR, and LODDS were 3, 0.28, and −0.37, respectively. N, NPLN, LNR, and LODDS were identified as independent prognostic predictors for CSS and OS in patients with SCC when each of them was incorporated into multivariable Cox model separately. Additionally, LODDS had the higher linear trend χ² score, higher LR χ² test score, lower AIC, and higher C-index compared to the other three systems. Moreover, a combination of N, NPLN, and LODDS was superior to any staging system alone for predicting prognosis.

Conclusions

LODDS showed better predictive performance than N, NPLN, and LNR among patients with node-positive SCC after surgery. A combination of LODDS and the current AJCC TNM classification has the potential for becoming a better staging method to more precisely predicting prognosis.

Survival Following Segmentectomy or Lobectomy in Patients With Stage IB Non-small-cell Lung Cancer

Background: Lobectomy with mediastinal lymph node dissection has always been recognized as the standardized treatment for early-stage non-small-cell lung cancer. However, the feasibility of segmentectomy performed in stage IB non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients remains controversial. The present study aims to investigate whether the outcome of stage IB NSCLC patients undergoing segmentectomy was comparable to those who underwent lobectomy.

Method: We retrospectively collected data of 11,010 patients with primary stage IB non-small-cell lung cancer from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. Overall survival (OS) and lung cancer-specific survival (LCSS) were assessed among patients who were performed lobectomy or segmentectomy. To further assess the impact of the surgical procedures on patients with different tumor sizes, subgroups stratified by tumor size were analyzed.

Results: A total of 11,010 patients who were pathologically confirmed to be stage IB were included, of whom 10,453 received lobectomy and 557 received segmentectomy. Both univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses showed that the patients receiving lobectomy had better OS [hazards ratio (HR) = 1.197, 95% confidence interval (CI) (1.066, 1.343), P < 0.001] than those receiving segmentectomy. However, multivariate analysis showed that there was no significant difference in LCSS between lobectomy and segmentectomy [HR = 1.172, 95% CI (0.963, 1.427), P = 0.114]. Meanwhile, subgroup analyses showed that lobectomy rather than segmentectomy was associated with better OS [HR = 1.278, 95% CI (1.075, 1.520) P = 0.006] and LCSS [HR = 1.118, 95% CI (1.005, 1.280), P = 0.047] for patients with a tumor size (TS) of ≤ 40 and >30 mm, while for patients with a TS of ≤ 30 mm, lobectomy yielded similar OS [TS ≤ 20 mm: HR = 1.068, 95% CI (0.853, 1.336), P = 0.566; TS > 20 mm and ≤ 30 mm: HR = 1.195, 95% CI (0.961, 1.487), P = 0.109] and LCSS [TS ≤ 20 mm: HR = 1.029, 95% CI: (0.682, 1.552), P = 0.893; TS > 20 and ≤ 30 mm: HR = 1.144, 95% CI (0.795, 1.645), P = 0.469] to that of segmentectomy.

Conclusion: Segmentectomy achieved equivalent OS and LCSS in stage IB NSCLC patients with TS ≤ 30 mm compared with lobectomy. Lobectomy showed better OS and LCSS than segmentectomy for patients with a TS of >30 and ≤ 40 mm. Segmentectomy may be acceptable in patients with an older age and a smaller TS.

The Incidence of Node-Positive Non-small-Cell Lung Cancer Undergoing Sublobar Resection and the Role of Radiation in Its Management

Purpose: To identify the incidence, preoperative risk factors, and prognosis associated with pathologically positive lymph node (pN+) in patients undergoing a sub-lobar resection (SLR). Methods: This is a retrospective study using the National Cancer Database (NCDB) from 2004 to 2014 analyzing SLR excluding those with any preoperative chemotherapy and/or radiation, follow-up <3 months, stage IV disease, or >1 tumor nodule. Multivariable modeling (MVA) was used to determine factors associated with overall survival (OS). Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to determine preoperative risk factors for pN+ in patients having at least one node examined to assess radiation's effect on OS in those patients with pN+ and to determine whether SLR was associated with inferior OS as compared to lobectomy for each nodal stage. Results: A total of 40,202 patients underwent SLR, but only 58.3% had one lymph node examined. Then, 2,615 individuals had pN+ which decreased progressively from 15.1% in 2004 to 8.9% in 2014 (N1, from 6.3 to 3.0%, and N2, from 8.4 to 5.9%). A lower risk of pN+ was noted for squamous cell carcinomas, bronchioloalveolar adenocarcinoma (BAC), adenocarcinomas, and right upper lobe locations. In the pN+ group, OS was worse without chemotherapy or radiation. Radiation was associated with a strong trend for OS in the entire pN+ group (p = 0.0647) which was largely due to the effects on those having N2 disease (p = 0.009) or R1 resections (p = 0.03), but not N1 involvement (p = 0.87). PSM noted that SLR was associated with an inferior OS as compared to lobectomy by nodal stage in the overall patient population and even for those with tumors <2 cm. Conclusion: pN+ incidence in SLRs has decreased over time. SLR was associated with inferior OS as compared to lobectomy by nodal stage. Radiation appears to improve the OS in patients undergoing SLR with pN+, especially in those with N2 nodal involvement and/or positive margins.

Prognostic impact of lymphadenectomy on outcomes of sublobar resection for non-small cell lung cancer ≤1 or >1 to 2 cm

Background

Lymphadenectomy is an important part of surgical treatment for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the prognostic impact of lymph node (LN) dissection for patients with NSCLC ≤1 and >1 to 2 cm who underwent sublobar resection is still unclear.

Methods

A group of patients numbering 7,627 with NSCLC 2 cm or less who underwent sublobar resection were identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database between January 2010 and November 2015. The overall survival (OS) and lung cancer-specific survival (LCSS) were evaluated among patients who had undergone dissection of ≥4 LNs, 1 to 3 LNs or who had no-LN dissection; log-rank and Cox proportional-hazards regression analyses were used for the evaluation.

Results

Patients with NSCLC ≤2 cm who underwent ≥4 LNs dissection had better OS and LCSS compared with those who underwent dissection of 1 to 3 LNs or who had no-LN dissection after sublobar resection. Subgroup analysis showed that dissection of ≥4 LNs had better OS and LCSS than those of 1 to 3 LNs dissection in NSCLC >1 to 2 cm, whereas had similar OS and LCSS in NSCLC ≤1 cm. Multivariate Cox analysis showed that dissection of 1 to 3 LNs was not an independent risk factor of OS and LCSS than dissection of ≥4 LNs in NSCLC ≤1 cm after sublobar resection.

Conclusions

The extent of LN dissection is associated with the survival outcomes in patients with NSCLC ≤2 cm after sublobar resection. Dissection of ≥4 LNs should be recommended for NSCLC >1 to 2 cm, whereas surgeons can rely on surgical skills and patient profiles to decide ≥4 LNs or 1 to 3 LNs dissection for NSCLC ≤1 cm during sublobar resection.

Lymphadenectomy is Unnecessary for Pure Ground-Glass Opacity Pulmonary Nodules

BACKGROUND

Lobectomy plus lymph node dissection is the standard treatment of early-stage lung cancer, but the low lymph node metastasis rate with ground-glass opacity (GGO) makes surgeons not perform lymphadenectomy. This study aimed to re-evaluate the lymph node metastasis rate of GGO to help make a clinical judgment.

METHODS

We performed this retrospective study to enroll patients who received lung cancer surgery from 2011 to 2016. Patient characteristics collected included tumor size, solid part size and lymph node metastasis rate. These patients were categorized into pure GGO and part solid GGO groups to undergo analysis.

RESULTS

Lymph node metastasis rates were 0%, 3.8% and 6.9% in order of the pure GGO group, the GGO predominant group and the solid predominant group. In the lobectomy patients, the solid predominant group still showed to have the highest lymph node metastasis rate and recurrence rate (8.3% and 10.1%).

CONCLUSION

It is unnecessary to perform lymphadenectomy for patients with pure GGO in view of the 0% lymph node metastasis rate. The higher lymph node metastasis rate in the patients with the solid predominant group, 6.9%, suggested that surgeons should choose a rational lymphadenectomy method according to their GGO property and clinical judgment.

Oncologic outcomes of segmentectomy vs lobectomy in pathologic stage IA (≤2 cm) invasive lung adenocarcinoma: A population-based study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

For early-stage invasive lung adenocarcinoma, it remains unclear whether segmentectomy can yield outcomes equivalent to those of lobectomy. This study aimed to compare survival outcomes after segmentectomy and lobectomy among patients with stage IA invasive lung adenocarcinoma.

METHODS

We identified patients with stage IA (≤2 cm) invasive lung adenocarcinoma who underwent segmentectomy or lobectomy from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database (2004-2015). Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to balance the baseline characteristics. Overall survival (OS) and lung cancer-specific survival (LCSS) were compared using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazards regression.

RESULTS

A total of 5474 patients were included. Before PSM, the 5-year OS was 78.3% for patients undergoing lobectomy vs 76.5% for patients undergoing segmentectomy (P = .166) while LCSS were 86.8% vs 83.0% (P = .015). After PSM, survival analyses showed that segmentectomy had OS (75.8% vs 76.4%; P = .694) and LCSS (82.7% vs 82.9%; P = .604) equivalent to those of lobectomy. Cox regression demonstrated that segmentectomy was equivalent to lobectomy in terms of OS and LCSS before and after PSM.

CONCLUSION

For stage IA (≤2 cm) invasive lung adenocarcinoma, segmentectomy may have oncologic outcomes equivalent to those of lobectomy.

New T1 classification

The IASLC staging and Prognostic Factor Committee proposed new changes to the descriptors for the 8th edition of the Tumour Node Metastasis Staging for Lung Cancer. The T1 descriptor changes include (1) T1 tumours are subclassified into T1a (< 1 cm), T1b (> 1 to < 2 cm), T1c (> 2 to < 3 cm). The corresponding changes are introduced to the overall staging: T1aN0M0 = Stage IA1; T1bN0M0 = Stage IA2; T1cN0M0 = Stage IA3. (2) The introduction of the pathological entities Adenocarcinoma-In-Situ (AIS), Minimally Invasive Adenocarcinoma, and Lepidic Predominant Adenocarcinoma. The corresponding changes on the T descriptor are as follows: Adenocarcinoma-in situ is coded as Tis (AIS); Minimally Invasive Adenocarcinoma is coded as T1a(mi). In this review, the basis for these changes will be described, and the implications on clinical practice will be discussed.

Factors associated with nodal metastasis in 2-centimeter or less non-small cell lung cancer

OBJECTIVE

Lymph node involvement is an important determinant of treatment and prognosis in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and must be determined via surgical lymph node (LN) evaluation. However, lymphadenectomy is associated with multiple significant morbidities. Recent studies have suggested LN evaluation can be foregone in some or all patients with NSCLC ≤2.0 cm. Our objective was to identify whether these patients may be safely spared the morbidity of lymphadenectomy.

METHODS

We undertook a retrospective study of patients treated for NSCLC ≤2.0 cm at a single institution from 2005 to 2017. We examined patient, demographic, and tumor variables for associations with LN metastases via univariable and multivariable analyses.

RESULTS

In total, 555 patients met our inclusion criteria. Our primary independent variables included tumor size, histology, and histologic subtype. Although tumors ≤1 cm were less likely to have LN metastases than 1.1- to 2-cm tumors (6.8% vs 13.3%), there was no statistically significant difference. Histologic type was not associated with LN status. In an adenocarcinoma subgroup analysis, micropapillary predominant tumors were more likely to have LN metastases. All invasive mucinous adenocarcinomas and minimally invasive adenocarcinomas were N0.

CONCLUSIONS

LN evaluation may be unnecessary in patients with minimally invasive adenocarcinoma or invasive mucinous adenocarcinomas ≤2.0 cm. However, this information is rarely available pre- or intraoperatively. Thus, we recommend LN evaluation always be performed when possible, even for subcentimeter NSCLC, unless the histology is absolutely certain. To our knowledge, this is the largest dataset published to study patients with NSCLC ≤2.0 cm.

Impact of Different Types of Lymphadenectomy Combined With Different Extents of Tumor Resection on Survival Outcomes of Stage I Non-small-cell Lung Cancer: A Large-Cohort Real-World Study

Background: To investigate the prognostic impact of different types of lymphadenectomy with different extents of tumor resection on the outcomes of stage I non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods: Patients were classified into lobectomy and sublobectomy groups, and then each group was subdivided according to the types of lymphadenectomy. The end points of the study were overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). Propensity score matched (PSM) comparative analysis and univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed.

Result: A total of 1,336 patients were included in the current study. Lobectomy was associated with better OS and DFS. In the lobectomy group, lobectomy with bilateral mediastinal lymphadenectomy (BML) was associated with better OS than lobectomy with systematic nodal dissection (SND) or lobe-specific systematic node dissection (L-SND). Lobectomy with SND or L-SND was associated with better OS than lobectomy with systematic nodal sampling (SNS) or selected lymph node biopsy (SLNB). Additionally, lobectomy with BML or SND was associated with better DFS than lobectomy with L-SND or SNS or SLNB. After PSM, compared with lobectomy with SNS or SLNB, lobectomy with SND resulted in more favorable OS and DFS. There was no survival difference between different types of lymphadenectomy for patients who underwent sublobectomy. A multivariable analysis revealed independent associations of lobectomy with BML or SND with better OS and DFS compared with those of lobectomy with SNS or SLNB.

Conclusion: This study reveals an association of lobectomy with more systematic and complete lymph node dissection, such as BML or SND, with better prognosis in stage I NSCLC patients.

Optimal Lymph Node Examination and Adjuvant Chemotherapy for Stage I Lung Cancer

OBJECTIVE

To determine the optimal number of lymph nodes (LNs) examined and the role of adjuvant chemotherapy in stage I lung cancer.

METHODS

The National Cancer Database was queried for surgically treated patients with pathologic stage I lung cancer between 2006 and 2014 (N = 65,438). The optimal LN numbers were determined in the multivariate Cox model and were further validated in the cohort with clinical stage I disease (N = 117,112) in terms of nodal upstaging and prognostic stratification. The role of adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with suboptimal staging (number of LNs examined was less than than the optimum) was evaluated in each T stage.

RESULTS

The number of LNs examined correlated with tumor size (p < 0.001). There were increasing survival benefits with each additional LN examined-up to eight, nine, 10, and 11 nodes for patients with T1a, T1b, T1c, and T2a, respectively. Validation from the cohort with clinically staged disease showed that the threshold of eight to 11 LNs was an independent predictor of nodal upstaging (OR = 1.706, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.608-1.779) and survival outcome (hazard ratio = 0.890, 95% CI: 0.865-0.916). After propensity matching, adjuvant chemotherapy was associated with improved survival in patients with stage T2a disease having suboptimal staging (hazard ratio = 0.841, 95% CI: 0.714-0.990), but not in patients with stage T1a to T1c disease.

CONCLUSION

LN evaluation was important for accurate staging and adequate treatment, and examinations of an increasing number of nodes for progressively higher T components (i.e., eight, nine, 10, and 11 nodes for T1a, T1b, T1c, and T2a tumors, respectively) seemed crucial to predict upstaging and survival outcomes. Adjuvant chemotherapy might be beneficial to patients with stage T2a disease who have suboptimal nodal staging.

Extent of lymphadenectomy is associated with oncological efficacy of sublobar resection for lung cancer ≤2 cm

BACKGROUND

Sublobar resection (SLR) is an alternative to lobectomy for early non-small cell lung cancer. Comparative effectiveness of these 2 approaches might be modified by the extent of lymph node dissection.

METHODS

We utilized the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program-Medicare dataset to identify patients with stage I non-small cell lung cancer aged 66 years or older with tumor size ≤2 cm. We compared patient characteristics with t tests for continuous variables and χ² tests for categorical variables. Kaplan-Meier curves were constructed to determine overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS). We evaluated OS and CSS among propensity-matched cohorts undergoing lobectomy versus SLR, particularly as it related to extent of lymphadenectomy.

RESULTS

Among 2757 lobectomies and 1229 SLR procedures performed for stage I tumors ≤2 cm, we propensity-matched 1124 patients from each group. Patients undergoing SLR were more likely to have no lymph nodes sampled (46.9% vs 6.4%; P < .001). OS (hazard ratio [HR], 1.48; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.29-1.69) and CSS (HR, 2.06; 95% CI, 1.41-3.02) were worse following SLR. When propensity-matched cohorts of patients with at least 1 lymph node removed (n = 567 each group) were examined, the HRs for survival for SLR decreased (OS HR, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.12-1.69; CSS HR, 1.58; 95% CI, 0.97-2.57). Finally, when cohorts were propensity matched for ≥9 lymph nodes examined (n = 103 each group), there was no difference in OS (HR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.50-1.39) or CSS (HR, 1.10; 95% CI, 0.35-3.41).

CONCLUSIONS

SLR leads to fewer lymph node removed and is associated with inferior survival compared with lobectomy. A more extensive lymphadenectomy may be associated with equivalent survival between matched patients undergoing SLR and lobectomy.

Is segmentectomy the future?

The role of anatomic segmentectomy as an acceptable, lung parenchymal sparing alternative to pulmonary lobectomy for the small peripheral stage I lung cancer is under great scrutiny today. This is not a new consideration, particularly for the patient with impaired cardiopulmonary reserve where preservation of lung function may be a critical issue in deciding on surgical resection for local/regional control of their cancer. In this review, we discuss the oncologic issues along with past and present evidence supporting "anatomic" lung preservational surgery in the management of lung cancer.

Survival rates after lobectomy versus sublobar resection for early-stage right middle lobe non-small cell lung cancer

Background

Lung cancer in the right middle lobe has a poorer prognosis than tumors located in other lobes. The optimal surgical procedure for early‐stage non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in the right middle lobe has not yet been elucidated. The aim of this study was to compare survival rates after lobectomy and sublobar resection for early‐stage right middle lobe NSCLC.

Methods

Patients who underwent lobectomy or sublobar resection for stage IA right middle lobe NSCLC tumors ≤ 2 cm between 2004 and 2014 were identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results database of 18 registries. Cox regression model analysis was used to evaluate the prognostic factors. The lung cancer‐specific survival (LCSS) and overall survival (OS) rates between the two groups were compared.

Results

A total of 861 patients met our criteria, including 662 (76.9%) patients who underwent lobectomy and 199 (23.1%) patients who underwent sublobar resection. No statistical differences in LCSS and OS rates were identified between the groups of patients with stage IA right middle lobe NSCLC ≤ 1 cm. For tumors > 1–2 cm, lobectomy was associated with more favorable LCSS and OS rates compared to sublobar resection.

Conclusion

Lobectomy and sublobar resection deliver a comparable prognosis for patients with stage IA right middle lobe NSCLC ≤ 1 cm. For tumors > 1–2 cm, lobectomy showed better survival rates than sublobar resection.