Impact of size, histology, and gender on stage IA non-small cell lung cancer

The aim of this study was to assess which prognostic factors could influence survival in surgically treated stage IA non-small cell lung cancer. The records of 224 consecutive patients with pathological stage IA after radical surgery were reviewed retrospectively. Overall 1, 3 and 5-year survival rates were 89%, 76%, and 66%. Nearly half of the deaths were unrelated to the original cancer. There was no difference in survival attributable to preoperative pulmonary function, age at operation, or extent of resection. However, patients with limited resections had a higher rate of local recurrence. Survival was better with a smaller size of tumor (= 2 cm), in the female sex, and in cases of bronchoalveolar adenocarcinoma.