The Role of Environmental Exposures on Survival After Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Resection

Socioeconomic status and pollution exposure have been described as risk factors for poor survival in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the relationship between these factors is complex and inadequately studied. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between environmental and social factors and their impact on survival after NSCLC resection.

A prospective database for all patients with NSCLC who underwent primary resection from 2006 to 2021 was analyzed. Ambient fine particulate matter (air pollution smaller than 2.5 μm [PM_2.5]), greenness, and deprivation index (a measure of neighborhood-level material deprivation composed of 6 factors) were linked to individual patients by geocoding their residential address.

A total of 661 patients who underwent pulmonary resection for NSCLC were evaluated. Black patients had increased levels of community deprivation compared with White patients; however, there was no difference in PM_2.5 exposure or overall survival between races. Increased PM_2.5 exposure was an independent predictor of worse survival on univariable and multivariable analysis (hazard ratio, 1.06; P = .003).

Increased PM_2.5 exposure is associated with worse overall survival in resected NSCLC and was a more significant factor than race and material deprivation in this population. Interventions to reduce environmental air pollution could improve lung cancer survival.