Oncologic outcomes after surgical resection of subcentimeter non-small cell lung cancer

The recent initiation of screening protocols and greater utilization of computed tomography has led to an increasing proportion of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients presenting with subcentimeter stage IA tumors. The aim of this study was to compare the oncologic outcomes of lobectomy, segmentectomy, and wedge resection in patients with NSCLC tumors 1 cm or less in diameter.

Data were extracted from medical records of patients undergoing surgical resection for stage IA NSCLC and a pathologically confirmed tumor diameter measuring 1 cm or less. Primary oncologic outcomes were disease recurrence and disease-free survival. Statistical comparisons were performed using Fisher's exact test and unpaired t test. Kaplan-Meier curves were compared using the log rank test. Significance was defined as a two-tailed p value less than 0.05.

A total of 107 patients underwent complete (R0) surgical resection for stage IA NSCLC 1 cm or less in diameter (lobectomy, 32; segmentectomy, 40; wedge, 35). Age, sex distribution, tumor size, and histology were similar between groups. There was 1 perioperative mortality in the lobectomy group (3%). At a mean follow-up of 42.5 months, overall disease recurrence was equivalent, occurring in 3 lobectomy patients (9%), 4 segmentectomy patients (10%), and 3 wedge resection patients (9%; p=0.99). Estimated 5-year disease-free survival was comparable among cohorts (lobectomy, 87%; segmentectomy, 89%; wedge, 89%; p>0.402).

Sublobar resections are associated with oncologic outcomes that are comparable to those of lobectomy for subcentimeter stage IA NSCLC, suggesting that they may be appropriate surgical interventions in this patient cohort. The validity of these observations needs to be assessed in a prospective setting.