Pooled analysis for surgical treatment for isolated adrenal metastasis and non-small cell lung cancer

This systematic review and pooled analysis investigated outcomes and prognostic factors in Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients who underwent surgical treatment for an isolated adrenal metastasis and the primary NSCLC.

A literature search of PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library databases was conducted for relevant retrospective studies in patients with NSCLC and isolated adrenal metastatic lesions treated with lobectomy or pneumonectomy and adrenalectomy. Outcome measures were overall, 1-, 2- and 5-year survival rates stratified by synchronous versus metachronous adrenal metastasis and according to lymph node status, pathology and relative location of the metastasis to the primary tumour. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were generated and differences in survival were assessed by a log-rank test.

Thirteen studies involving 98 patients were included in this analysis. The median overall survival was 18 months, and the 1-, 2- and 5-year survival rates were 66.5, 40.5 and 28.2%, respectively. Patients with metachronous adrenal metastasis had a significantly better prognosis than patients with synchronous adrenal metastasis (P < 0.05). Patients classified as negative for lymph node metastasis had a significantly better prognosis than patients classified as positive for lymph node metastasis (P < 0.05). Pathology (squamous carcinoma versus adenocarcinoma) and the relative location of the metastasis to the primary tumour (ipsilateral adrenal metastasis or contralateral adrenal metastasis) had no significant influence on prognosis.

NSCLC patients with isolated adrenal metastasis undergoing surgical treatment for the primary tumour and adrenal metastasis could achieve a significant survival benefit, especially if they have metachronous adrenal metastasis or are negative for lymph node metastasis.