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Updated: Aug 14, 2025
A Model for Perineural Invasion in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Published on: January 5, 2017
Vascular Invasion Predicts Recurrence in Stage IA2-IB Lung Adenocarcinoma but not Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Lubna Suaiti1, Travis B Sullivan2, Kimberly M Rieger-Christ2
1Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA.
Background:
Lymphovascular invasion (LVI) is an adverse prognostic feature in resected stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC); however, it is unclear if the prognostic significance applies to both lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) and squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC).
Materials And Methods:
A retrospective review of H&E-stained slides from surgically resected AJCC 8th ed. stage IA2-IB LUAD (n = 344) and LUSC (n = 102) from two institutions was performed. LVI was defined as either lymphatic (LI) or vascular (VI) invasion. Outcomes were assessed by 5-year recurrence-free survival (RFS) estimates using the Kaplan-Meier method.
Results:
The cohorts of LUAD and LUSC showed no significant differences in 5-year RFS (81% each), stage, age, race, or surgical procedure. The presence of LVI, VI, and LI was predictive of 5-year RFS for LUAD (LVI + 71% vs. LVI - 92%, P < 0.001; VI + 64% vs. VI - 90%, P < 0.001; LI + 75% vs. LI - 84%, P = 0.030) but not LUSC (LVI + 84% vs. LVI - 79%, P = 0.740; VI + 83% vs. VI- 80%, P = 0.852; LI + 84% vs. LI - 81%, P = 0.757). Among LUAD with LVI, VI was a stronger predictor of 5-year RFS than the remaining subset of VI-LI + tumors (64% vs. 87%, P = 004). Subset analysis of LI among LUAD stratified by VI showed no significant prognostic advantage to adding LI for risk stratification (VI-LI + 87% vs. VI-LI - 92%, P = 0.347 & VI+LI + 62% vs. VI + LI- 66%, P = 0.422). VI was present in 36% of LUAD.
Conclusion:
Vascular invasion is a strong predictor of recurrence in stage IA2-IB LUAD but not in LUSC. Adjuvant therapy trials should be directed at this subgroup.
