Complex Segmentectomy for Hypermetabolic Clinical Stage IA Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Due to its invasiveness, the indications for "complex segmentectomy" for radiologically hypermetabolic (high maximum standard uptake value) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remain controversial. This study compared the outcomes after complex segmentectomy and lobectomy in these patients.

We retrospectively reviewed 717 patients with radiologically hypermetabolic (maximum standardized uptake value ≥2.5), clinical stage IA NSCLC who underwent complex segmentectomy (n = 61) or location-adjusted lobectomy (n = 656) at three institutions from 2010 to 2019. Postoperative outcomes were analyzed for all patients and their propensity score matched pairs. Factors affecting oncologic outcomes were assessed by Kaplan-Meier estimates and Cox proportional hazards regression analyses.

The prognosis of patients undergoing complex segmentectomy was not significantly different from that of patients undergoing lobectomy (5-year cancer-specific survival rate, 89.9% vs 91.1%, P = .98; and 5-year recurrence-free interval rate, 83% vs 77.5%, P = .62) in the nonadjusted cohort. In 55 propensity score matched pairs, oncologic outcomes were not significantly different between patients undergoing complex segmentectomy (5-year cancer-specific survival, 89.9%; 5-year recurrence-free interval, 83%) and lobectomy (5-year cancer-specific survival, 83.6%; 5-year recurrence-free interval, 82.5%). Multivariable Cox regression analysis for recurrence-free interval revealed no significant differences between oncologic outcomes associated with complex segmentectomy and lobectomy (hazard ratio, 0.84; 95% confidence interval, 0.25 to 2.14; P = .74).

Oncologic outcomes of complex segmentectomy and lobectomy were not significantly different for patients with radiologically hypermetabolic, clinical stage IA NSCLC patients. Complex segmentectomy can treat high maximum standardized uptake value, clinical stage IA lung cancers without compromising oncologic results.