Subcarinal node is the significant node that affects survival in resected small cell lung cancer
Masaki Miyamoto1, Toshiaki Morikawa, Kichizo Kaga
1Department of Surgical Oncology, Division of Cancer Medicine, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, N-14 W-7, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-8648, Japan.
Surgery Today
|July 26, 2006
Summary
Surgery and adjuvant therapy are key prognostic factors for small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Subcarinal node (station 7) involvement significantly worsens prognosis in SCLC patients undergoing resection.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Thoracic Surgery
- Pulmonary Medicine
Background:
- Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is an aggressive malignancy.
- The role of surgery and identification of prognostic factors in SCLC remain areas of investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the significance of surgical intervention in SCLC.
- To identify independent prognostic factors influencing survival in SCLC patients.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 50 patients with limited SCLC who underwent pulmonary resection and mediastinal nodal dissection (1988-1997).
- Application of the TNM classification system for staging SCLC.
- Cox regression multivariate analysis to identify prognostic factors.
Main Results:
- Lymph node metastasis and adjuvant therapy were identified as independent prognostic factors in SCLC.
- Subcarinal node (station 7) involvement was a critical factor in patients with lymph node metastasis.
- No patients with station 7 involvement survived 2 years, whereas 47.1% without station 7 involvement survived 2 years.
Conclusions:
- Subcarinal node (station 7) involvement is a significant negative prognostic factor in SCLC.
- Surgical resection combined with appropriate adjuvant therapy may improve outcomes for select SCLC patients.
