title: Prognostic implications of pulmonary satellite nodules: are the 1997 staging revisions appropriate?
abstract: In the 1992 AJCC and 1993 UICC staging systems, primary lobe satellite nodules increased the T designation of the primary by one level and ipsilateral non-primary lobe satellite nodules raised the T designation to T4. The recent 1997 UICC and AJCC staging revisions assign a T4 (IIIb) designation to satellite nodules in a primary lobe, and a M1 (IV) designation to satellites in ipsilateral non-primary lobes. There is abundant evidence showing that satellite nodules are negative prognostic factors, but their inclusion in stage IIIb and IV may not be appropriate. The English-language medical literature was searched for papers reporting survival after surgical resection of lung cancer with satellite nodules (primary and non-primary ipsilateral lobe locations). Eleven articles were retrieved and their data pooled for analysis. Of 568 resected patients with satellite nodules, actuarial 5-year survival was 20%. Five articles gave separate survival data for satellite nodules in primary versus ipsilateral non-primary lobes. All five articles showed better survival for satellite nodules in a primary lobe. Satellite nodules in a primary lobe have a better prognosis than those in ipsilateral non-primary lobes. Survival for resected lung cancer with satellite nodules in a primary lobe is better than that usually observed for T4 (IIIB) disease. The 1997 staging revisions may unduly upstage patients with satellite nodules in a primary cancer lobe. However, satellite nodules in ipsilateral non-primary lobes share metastatic mechanisms and have survival results consistent with M1 stage disease. Their 1997 MI designation may be appropriate.
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgical Oncology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY 14263-0001, USA.
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Urschel
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Urschel
authors.forename: T M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Antkowiak
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Takita
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000556:secondary*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis