title: Pneumonectomy with and without induction chemo-radiotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer: short and long-term results from a single centre.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Pneumonectomy for non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) after induction radio-chemotherapy (IT) has been associated with high peri-operative risk and its safety and efficacy is still debated. The aim of this retrospective study was to compare short and long-term results of pneumonectomy in patients treated with and without IT (radiotherapy plus chemotherapy) for NSCLC.
  
  
  METHODS
  From 1995 to 2008, 85 consecutive patients underwent pneumonectomy: 49 received pre-operative radiotherapy and chemotherapy (IT group), and 36 patients did not (non-IT group). Peri-operative and long-term outcomes were compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Major complications rate was 14.3% for IT group and 16.7% for non-IT group (p = n.s.). Mortality rate was 2% in IT group and 5.5% in non-IT group (p = n.s.). Post-operative hospital stay was significantly longer in the IT group (p < 0.0001) as the need for blood transfusion (p = 0.002). Indeed, the mortality rate was similar in the left- and right-sided operations. 5 years survival was 45.3% for IT group and 38.4% for non-IT group (p = n.s.) and 5 year disease free survival rates were 42.3% vs. 37.8% for the two groups, respectively (p = n.s.). Among the clinical, surgical and pathological features no differences on long term outcomes were found with regards to IT.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pneumonectomy is a feasible and safe procedure even after pre-operative IT. Our results showed a prolonged hospitalization and the need for blood transfusion in the IT group.
authors: Division of General Thoracic Surgery, School of Medicine, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Margaritora
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Cesario
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Cusumano
authors: V
authors: V
authors: Dall'armi
authors: V
authors: V
authors: Porziella
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Meacci
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Lococo
authors: R
authors: R
authors: D'Angelillo
authors: M T
authors: MT
authors: Congedo
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Granone
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D059248:Chemoradiotherapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011013:Pneumonectomy; D012189:Retrospective Studies