[Risk factors of recurrence in resected stage I non-small cell lung cancer]

We reviewed risk factors of recurrence in resected pathological stage I non-small cell lung cancer (I NSCLC). Objective is 229 complete resected I NSCLC in our department. Risk factors of recurrence were carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), histology, differentiation, lymphatic invasion, blood vessel invasion, pleural invasion and tumor size. By univariate analysis, lymphatic invasion (p=0.009), blood vessel invasion (p=0.008), pleural invasion, p1 (p=0.013), p2 (p=0.001), and tumor size (value of cut off was 2 cm) were significant risk factors of recurrence. By multivariate analysis, blood vessel invasion (p=0.004), pleural invasion (p1 or p2) [p=0.001], were significantly risk factors of recurrence. It was suggested that I NSCLC presenting pathological blood vessel invasion and/or pleural invasion should be recognized as cases with a high risk of recurrence, and a strict follow-up and adjuvant therapy should be in consideration.