[Impact of micrometastasis in pathologically negative lymph node on staging and prognosis of non-small cell lung cancers].
OBJECTIVE
To study the influence of micrometastasis in lymph node on staging and prognosis of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).


METHODS
In 39 NSCLC patients, micrometastasis in pathologically negative lymph nodes were tested through immunohistochemical cytokeratin (CK) analysis and the relationship between CK(+) and staging, survival were analyzed.


RESULTS
In these 39 patients, the survival of CK(+) and CK(-) patients were 32 months and 48 months respectively (P = 0.0178). Multivariate analysis of Cox regression model showed: clinical stage (P = 0.0288) and relapse or metastasis (P = 0.0053) affected the prognosis while micrometastasis in lymphnodes (P = 0.7740) did not.


CONCLUSIONS
The detection of micrometastasis in the lymphnodes may serve as a supplement to the present staging system for lung cancer. Even though the prognosis of patients with micrometastasis being poorer than those without, micrometastasis in the lymph nodes should not be regarded as an independent prognostic factor.
Zheng
Ruheng
R
Department of Thoracic Surgery, Zhong Shan Hospital, Fu Dan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
Ge
Di
D
Qiao
Yulei
Y
Shi
Meixin
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000556:secondary*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007633:Keratins / Q000378:metabolism; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis
D007633:Keratins