Lung Cancer Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Lung Cancer, including details on symptoms, smoking, genetics, treatment, causes.

Outcome following lung resections for pT1 non-small cell lung cancer.

Kopp R, Weidenhagen R, Reinmiedl J, Müller C, Fürst H, Bittmann I, Dienemann H, Hatz R

Department of Surgery, Klinikum Grosshadern, University of Munich, Marchioninistrasse 15, D-81377 Munich, Germany. rkopp@med.uni-muenchen.de

AIMS: To analyse the outcome of patients with pT1 NSCLC treated at our institution by antero-lateral thoracotomy, anatomical lung resections and mediastinal lymph node dissection between 1980 and 2001. METHODS: Follow-up data were obtained retrospectively from 1980 to 1990 and prospectively after 1990. Survival was analysed using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: Histopathological examinations revealed mediastinal lymph node infiltration in 27.6% (pN1 17.8% and pN2 9.8%). pN2 was classified in 14.1% of adenocarcinomas compared to 6.2% of squamous cell carcinomas. Median overall survival of patients with pT1 carcinomas was 89+16 months (median+standard error). Histopathological N-classification indicates differential prognostic and therapeutic implications in pT1 adeno- and squamous cell carcinomas. CONCLUSIONS: Complete lymph node dissection is required for all patients with T1 NSCLC treated by either open surgery or VATS resection. Histopathological N-classification indicates differential prognostic and therapeutic implications in pT1 adeno- and squamous cell carcinomas.

Published 21 March 2006 in Eur J Surg Oncol, 32(3): 329-34.
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