Outcome following lung resections for pT1 non-small cell lung cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To analyse the outcome of patients with pT1 NSCLC treated at our institution by antero-lateral thoracotomy, anatomical lung resections and mediastinal lymph node dissection between 1980 and 2001.


METHODS
Follow-up data were obtained retrospectively from 1980 to 1990 and prospectively after 1990. Survival was analysed using the Kaplan-Meier method.


RESULTS
Histopathological examinations revealed mediastinal lymph node infiltration in 27.6% (pN1 17.8% and pN2 9.8%). pN2 was classified in 14.1% of adenocarcinomas compared to 6.2% of squamous cell carcinomas. Median overall survival of patients with pT1 carcinomas was 89+16 months (median+standard error). Histopathological N-classification indicates differential prognostic and therapeutic implications in pT1 adeno- and squamous cell carcinomas.


CONCLUSIONS
Complete lymph node dissection is required for all patients with T1 NSCLC treated by either open surgery or VATS resection. Histopathological N-classification indicates differential prognostic and therapeutic implications in pT1 adeno- and squamous cell carcinomas.
Kopp
R
R
Department of Surgery, Klinikum Grosshadern, University of Munich, Marchioninistrasse 15, D-81377 Munich, Germany. rkopp@med.uni-muenchen.de
Weidenhagen
R
R
Reinmiedl
J
J
Müller
C
C
Fürst
H
H
Bittmann
I
I
Dienemann
H
H
Hatz
R
R
D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011013:Pneumonectomy / Q000379:methods*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome