Comparison between functional lung volume measurement and segment counting for predicting postoperative pulmonary function after pulmonary resection in lung cancer patients

BACKGROUND

Functional lung volume (FLV) obtained from computed tomography images was a breakthrough for lung imaging and functional assessment. We compared the accuracy of the FLV measurement method and the segment-counting (SC) method in predicting postoperative pulmonary function.

METHODS

A total of 113 patients who underwent two thoracoscopic surgeries were enrolled in our study. We predicted postoperative pulmonary function by the FLV measurement method and the SC method. Novel formulas based on the FLV measurement method were established using linear regression equations between the factors affecting pulmonary function and the measured values.

RESULTS

The predicted postoperative forced vital capacity (ppoFVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (ppoFEV1) measured by the 2 methods showed high concordance between the actual postoperative forced vital capacity (postFVC) and the forced expiratory volume in 1 s (postFEV1) [r = 0.762, P < 0.001 (FLV method) and r = 0.759, P < 0.001 (SC method) for FVC; r = 0.790, P < 0.001 (FLV method) and r = 0.795, P < 0.001 (SC method) for FEV1]. Regression analysis showed that the measured preoperative pulmonary function parameters (FVC, FEV1) and the ratio of reduced FLV to preoperative FLV were significantly associated with the actual postoperative values and could predict these parameters (all P < 0.001). The feasibility of using these equations [postFVC = 0.8 × FVC - 0.784 × ΔFLV/FLV + 0.283 (R² = 0.677, RSD = 0.338), postFEV1 = 0.766 × FEV1 - 0.694 × ΔFLV/FLV + 0.22 (R² = 0.743, RSD = 0.265)] to predict the pulmonary function parameters after wedge resection was also verified.

CONCLUSIONS

The new FLV measurement method is valuable for predicting postoperative pulmonary function in patients undergoing lung resection surgery, with accuracy and consistency similar to those of the conventional SC method.

Perioperative cardiovascular pathophysiology in patients undergoing lung resection surgery: a narrative review

Although thoracic surgery is understood to confer a high risk of postoperative respiratory complications, the substantial haemodynamic challenges posed are less well appreciated. This review highlights the influence of cardiovascular comorbidity on outcome, reviews the complex pathophysiological changes inherent in one-lung ventilation and lung resection, and examines their influence on cardiovascular complications and postoperative functional limitation. There is now good evidence for the presence of right ventricular dysfunction postoperatively, a finding that persists to at least 3 months. This dysfunction results from increased right ventricular afterload occurring both intraoperatively and persisting postoperatively. Although many patients adapt well, those with reduced right ventricular contractile reserve and reduced pulmonary vascular flow reserve might struggle. Postoperative right ventricular dysfunction has been implicated in the aetiology of postoperative atrial fibrillation and perioperative myocardial injury, both common cardiovascular complications which are increasingly being appreciated to have impact long into the postoperative period. In response to the physiological demands of critical illness or exercise, contractile reserve, flow reserve, or both can be overwhelmed resulting in acute decompensation or impaired long-term functional capacity. Aiding adaptation to the unique perioperative physiology seen in patients undergoing thoracic surgery could provide a novel therapeutic avenue to prevent cardiovascular complications and improve long-term functional capacity after surgery.

[Anatomical resection for non-small cell lung cancer: cardiopulmonary exercise testing in assessing the risk of respiratory complications]

OBJECTIVE

To assess the role of cardiopulmonary exercise testing in examination of patients with high risk of respiratory complications in anatomical resections for non-small cell lung cancer.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A non-randomized retrospective single-center study was devoted to immediate results of surgical treatment of patients with NSCLC between December 2020 and April 2021. Median age of patients was 65 (84; 30) years, male-to-female ratio - 129 (57%)/98 (43%). All patients were examined according to a unified algorithm recommended by the American (ATS) and European (ESTS) societies of thoracic surgeons. At the first stage, we analyzed airflow rate and performed non-invasive exercise tests (6-minute walk and/or stair test). Resections of lungs were performed in 231 patients, anatomic lung resections - in 227 patients (lobectomy - 199, bilobectomy - 4, segmentectomy - 17, pneumonectomy - 7). We excluded 4 patients who underwent non-anatomic lung resections (marginal resections).

RESULTS

Among 236 patients referred for anatomical lung resections, 34 (14.4%) ones were selected for cardiopulmonary testing. Selection was based on low exercise tolerance and/or severe decrease in predictive respiratory parameters (FEV<50%). Patients were divided into 4 groups depending on peak oxygen consumption. There were 5 (2%), 10 (29.4%), 11 (32.3%) and 8 (23.5%) patients with extremely high, high, moderate and low risk of respiratory complications, respectively. Surgeries were performed for IA1 (n=6), IA2 (n=50), IA3 (n=37), IB (n=31), IIA (n=19), IIB (n=37), IIIA (n=25) and IIIB (n=4) stages. The overall incidence of postoperative complications was 23% (95% CI: 18-28.8). Complications Clavien-Dindo grade I, IIIA, IIIB, IVA, IVB and V prevailed in both groups. Median postoperative hospital-stay (6 (6; 8) vs. 7 (6; 8) days) and time of pleural drainage (4 (2; 5) vs. 3 (3; 4) days) were similar. Organ-sparing procedures prevailed in the main group (5 (26%) out of 19 (95% CI: 11.81-48.8) vs. 12 (6.7%) out of 180 (95% CI: 3.8-11.3)). Overall mortality (n=231) was 1.7% (95% CI: 0.7-4.4). Mortality throughout the first postoperative year was 24% (95% CI: 12.2-42.1) and 7.4% (95% CI: 4.2-11.3), respectively.

CONCLUSION

Cardiopulmonary exercise testing makes it possible to objectively assess exercise tolerance and identify high-risk patients for respiratory complications. These data are valuable when planning the treatment of patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

Outcomes of lung cancer surgery in patients with COVID-19 history: a single center cohort study

OBJECTIVES

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can irreversibly damage the lungs and could possibly increase the risk of surgical treatment of lung cancer. The study aimed to assess the relationship between preoperative COVID-19 and complications and early outcomes of lung cancer surgery.

METHODS

This single-center cohort study included 444 patients who underwent lobectomy or segmentectomy for primary lung cancer from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2021. The exclusion criteria were pneumonectomy, extended resection, and wedge resection. The groups of patients with (n = 72) and without (n = 372) the history of COVID-19 prior to surgery were compared. The groups were similar in terms of distribution of baseline, surgical and histopathological characteristics. The primary endpoint was the incidence of postoperative complications. Secondary endpoints were outcomes at discharge and at 90 days.

RESULTS

The incidence of postoperative complications did not differ between the groups of patients with and without COVID-19 history (30.6% vs 29.3%, p = 0.831). Outcomes at discharge and at 90 days after surgery did not differ between the groups. Among the patients with and without prior COVID-19, 97.2 and 99.5% were alive at discharge (p = 0.125), and 97.2% and 98.1% ninety days after surgery (p = 0.644), respectively. Patients with COVID-19 history more often required re-drainage (6.9% v 2.2%, p = 0.044) and reoperation (5.6 v 1.3%, p = 0.042).

CONCLUSIONS

COVID-19 history is not related to the general incidence of complications, outcomes at discharge from the hospital, and at 90-days after surgery.

Sins of omission: A meta-research study evaluating the omission of operability in published retrospective comparisons of surgery with stereotactic body radiotherapy in patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer

INTRODUCTION

Patients receiving stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are typically inoperable, in concordance with guidelines that advocate surgical resection as preferred treatment for operable patients. This differential treatment allocation complicates retrospective comparisons of surgery with SBRT by introducing the potential for confounding by operability.

METHODS

PubMed was queried for manuscripts reporting primary data from retrospective comparisons of overall survival (OS) between patients undergoing surgery versus SBRT for early-stage NSCLC. Each manuscript was categorized for two outcomes: (1) whether treatment allocation was based on a determination of patient operability, and (2) whether a direct OS comparison between operable SBRT patients and surgically treated patients was included. Associations with variables of interest were measured with statistical significance prespecified at p < 0.10.

RESULTS

From 3,072 manuscripts identified in our query, sixty-one analyses met screening criteria. Twenty-one (34 %) reported operability status influencing treatment allocation. These were more likely to be published in journals with a surgical focus (52 vs 20 %) and impact factor < 5 (81 vs 58 %), and to contain cohorts from institutional datasets (81 vs 55 %), and to have a radiation oncologist as first (43 vs 25 %) or senior (43 vs 28 %) author. Seven (11 %) manuscripts featured a direct OS comparison between SBRT and surgery.

CONCLUSION

Nearly-two-thirds of peer-reviewed retrospective studies that have compared OS between surgery and SBRT for early-stage NSCLC lack information on patient operability status, and nearly 90% lack a direct comparison between operable SBRT patients and those receiving surgery.

STK11 Inactivation Predicts Rapid Recurrence in Inoperable Early-Stage Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer

PURPOSE

Molecular factors predicting relapse in early-stage non-small-cell lung cancer (ES-NSCLC) are poorly understood, especially in inoperable patients receiving radiotherapy (RT). In this study, we compared the genomic profiles of inoperable and operable ES-NSCLC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective study included 53 patients with nonsquamous ES-NSCLC (stage I-II) treated at a single institution (University of Chicago) with surgery (ie, operable; n = 30) or RT (ie, inoperable; n = 23) who underwent tumor genomic profiling. A second cohort of ES-NSCLC treated with RT (Stanford, n = 39) was included to power clinical analyses. Prognostic gene alterations were identified and correlated with clinical variables. The primary clinical end point was the correlation of prognostic genes with the cumulative incidence of relapse, disease-free survival, and overall survival (OS) in a pooled RT cohort from the two institutions (N = 62).

RESULTS

Although the surgery cohort exhibited lower rates of relapse, the RT cohort was highly enriched for somatic STK11 mutations (43% v 6.7%). Receiving supplemental oxygen (odds ratio [OR] = 5.5), 20+ pack-years of tobacco smoking (OR = 6.1), and Black race (OR = 4.3) were associated with increased frequency of STK11 mutations. In the pooled RT cohort (N = 62), STK11 mutation was strongly associated with inferior oncologic outcomes: 2-year incidence of relapse was 62% versus 20% and 2-year OS was 52% versus 85%, remaining independently prognostic on multivariable analyses (relapse: subdistribution hazard ratio = 4.0, P = .0041; disease-free survival: hazard ratio, 6.8, P = .0002; OS: hazard ratio, 6.0, P = .022). STK11 mutations were predominantly associated with distant failure, rather than local.

CONCLUSION

In this cohort of ES-NSCLC, STK11 inactivation was associated with poor oncologic outcomes after RT and demonstrated a novel association with clinical hypoxia, which may underlie its correlation with medical inoperability. Further validation in larger cohorts and investigation of effective adjuvant systemic therapies may be warranted.

Association between oxygen consumption and stepping exercise standardized with a triaxial accelerometer

OBJECTIVE

According to the current American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) guideline, a cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) is indicated in patients with lung cancer being considered for lung surgery. The measurement of maximum oxygen consumption ([Formula: see text] max) is not sufficiently prevalent because it requires special technical equipment. Considering that stepping is a simple and common exercise, we aimed to establish a simple and reproducible test with standardization of exercise intensity using a triaxial accelerometer.

METHODS

Twenty healthy volunteers (10 male, 10 female) were included in the study. The subjects were obliged to step on the same spot at the rate of 80 and 110 counts for 1 min each and then step as quickly as possible for the last minute. Oxygen consumption ([Formula: see text]) (mL/kg/min) for every breath was continuously measured during the exercise. A triaxial accelerometer was attached to the hip of test subjects whereby metabolic equivalents (METs) at each test level were measured.

RESULTS

The mean age of the study subjects was 42.9 ± 11.4 (mean ± SD). The mean value of [Formula: see text] at each level increased linearly along with the stepping level in each individual but varied among subjects. Using METs instead of step counts minimized the difference in regression lines among subjects. A receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed the possibility of [Formula: see text] prediction for the critical values of 10 and 20 mL/kg/min using METs.

CONCLUSION

A simple and reproducible stepping test was suggested as applicable to standardizing the intensity of exercise using a triaxial accelerometer.

Exercise oxygen desaturation is a predictor of cardiopulmonary complications after lung resection

BACKGROUND

To investigate whether oxygen desaturation during low technology tests was associated with complications after lung resection.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 1097 candidates for pulmonary resection; seven metabolic equivalents in the Master's double two-step test were loaded. The predicted postoperative (PPO) forced expiratory volume in 1 s and PPO diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide were estimated. The patients were divided into three groups: those with both values ≥60% (≥60% group (n=298)), either value <30% (<30% group (n=112)) and others (30%-60% group (n=687)). The relationships between postoperative cardiopulmonary complications and exercise stress test based on availability, symptoms and percutaneous oxygen saturation values were investigated in each group.

RESULTS

Τhe cardiopulmonary morbidity rates in the ≥60%, 30%-60%, and <30% groups were 7.7%, 14.6%, and 47.3%, respectively. Multivariate analyses revealed that predictors of complications were age (OR 0.96; p<0.001), male sex (OR 1.74; p=0.016) and exercise oxygen desaturation (EOD) >4% (OR 2.39; p=0.001) in the 30%-60% group, and male sex (OR 3.76; p=0.042) and EOD >4% (OR 2.28; p=0.030) in the <30% group.The two-flight test (TFT) was performed in 181 patients (22.8%); desaturation >4% in the TFT was also a predictor of complications.

CONCLUSIONS

A low technology test is also valuable for high-risk patients. EOD >4% is a predictor of postoperative complications.

CLINICAL REGISTRATION

This study is a non-interventional observational study and has not been registered in a public database. The study followed the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology reporting guidelines.This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Juntendo University School of Medicine (no. 2016085).

Adverse Events Following Limited Resection versus Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy for Early Stage Lung Cancer

Rationale: Approximately a quarter of patients with early stage lung cancer are not medically fit for lobectomy. Limited resection and stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) have emerged as alternatives for these patients. Given the equipoise on the effectiveness of the two treatments, treatment-related adverse events (AEs) could have a significant impact on patients' decision-making and treatment outcomes. Objectives: To compare the AE profile between SBRT versus limited resection. Methods: Data were derived from a prospective cohort of patients with stage I-IIA non-small cell lung cancer who were deemed as high-risk for lobectomy recruited from five centers across the United States. Propensity scores and inverse probability weighting were used to compare the rates of 30- and 90-day AEs among patients treated with limited resection versus SBRT. Results: Overall, 65% of 252 patients underwent SBRT. After adjusting for propensity scores, there was no significant difference in developing at least one AE comparing SBRT to limited resection (odds ratio [OR]: 1.00; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.65-1.55 and OR: 1.27; 95% CI: 0.84-1.91 at 30 and 90 days, respectively). SBRT was associated with lower risk of infectious AEs than limited resection at 30 days (OR: 0.05; 95% CI: 0.01-0.39) and 90 days posttreatment (OR: 0.41; 95% CI: 0.17-0.98). Additionally, SBRT was associated with persistently elevated risk of fatigue (OR: 2.47; 95% CI: 1.34-4.54 at 30 days and OR: 2.69; 95% CI: 1.52-4.77 at 90 days, respectively), but significantly lower risks of respiratory AEs (OR: 0.36; 95% CI: 0.20-0.65 and OR: 0.51; 95% CI: 0.31-0.86 at 30 and 90 days, respectively). Conclusions: Though equivalent in developing at least one AE, we found that SBRT is associated with less toxicity than limited resection in terms of infectious and respiratory AEs but higher rates of fatigue that persisted up to 3 months posttreatment. This information, combined with data about oncologic effectiveness, can help patients' decision-making regarding these alternative therapies.

Perioperative outcomes of robotic lobectomy for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer in elderly patients

Introduction

Minimally invasive surgery has become the standard for the early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The appropriateness of the kind of lung resection for the elderly patients is still debated.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed patients with older than 75 years who underwent robotic lobectomy between May 2016 to June 2022. We selected 103 patients who met the inclusion criteria of the study. The preoperative cardiorespiratory functional evaluations were collected, and the risk of postoperative complications was calculated according to the Charlson Comorbidity Index, the American College of Surgery surgical risk calculator (ACS-NSQIP), EVAD score, and American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) score. The patients were divided in two groups according to the presence of postoperative complications.

Results

Forty-three patients were female, and 72.8% of the total population were former or active smokers. Thirty-five patients reported postoperative complications. The analysis of the two groups showed that the predicted postoperative forced expiratory volumes in the first second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) were significantly lower in patients presenting postoperative complications (p=0.04). Moreover, the upstaging rate and the unexpected nodal metastases were higher in the postoperative complication groups.

Conclusion

Robotic-assisted lobectomy for early-stage lung cancer is a safe and feasible approach in selected elderly patients. The factors that could predict the complication rate was the predicted postoperative FEV1 and the nodal disease.

Cell cycle associated miRNAs as target and therapeutics in lung cancer treatment

Lung cancer is the primary cause of cancer related deaths worldwide. Limited therapeutic options and resistance to existing drugs are the major hindrances to the clinical success of this cancer. In the past decade, several studies showed the role of microRNA (miRNA) driven cell cycle regulation in lung cancer progression. Therefore, these small nucleotide molecules could be utilized as promising tools in lung cancer therapy. In this review, we highlighted the recent advancements in lung cancer therapy using cell cycle linked miRNAs. By highlighting the roles of the specific cell cycle core regulators affiliated miRNAs in lung cancer, we further outlined how these miRNAs can be explored in early diagnosis and treatment strategies to prevent lung cancer. With the provided information from our review, more medical efforts can ensure a potential breakthrough in miRNA-based lung cancer therapy.

[Stereotactic radiotherapy for localized primary lung tumours of stage T1-T2]

The historical treatment for stage I non-small cell lung cancer is surgical. Parenchymal amputation is not always possible due to cardiopulmonary comorbidities and stereotactic radiotherapy is one of the alternatives to an invasive procedure. The excellent results observed for inoperable tumors raised the question of this treatment in operable patients. This article presents the data in these two situations and the future perspectives.

Preoperative exercise training for people with non-small cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND

Surgical resection for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) offers the best chance of cure, but it is associated with a risk of postoperative pulmonary complications. It is unclear if preoperative exercise training, and the potential resultant improvement in exercise capacity, may improve postoperative outcomes. This review updates our initial 2017 systematic review.

OBJECTIVES

1. To evaluate the benefits and harm of preoperative exercise training on postoperative outcomes, such as the risk of developing a postoperative pulmonary complication and the postoperative duration of intercostal catheter, in adults scheduled to undergo lung resection for NSCLC. 2. To determine the effect on length of hospital stay (and costs associated with postoperative hospital stay), fatigue, dyspnoea, exercise capacity, lung function and postoperative mortality.

SEARCH METHODS

We used standard, extensive Cochrane search methods. The latest search date was from 28 November 2016 to 23 November 2021.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in which study participants who were scheduled to undergo lung resection for NSCLC were allocated to receive either preoperative exercise training or no exercise training.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

We used standard Cochrane methods. Our primary outcomes were 1. risk of developing a postoperative pulmonary complication; 2. postoperative duration of intercostal catheter and 3.

SAFETY

Our secondary outcomes were 1. postoperative length of hospital stay; 2. postintervention fatigue; 3. postintervention dyspnoea; 4. postintervention and postoperative exercise capacity; 5. postintervention lung function and 6. postoperative mortality. We used GRADE to assess the certainty of evidence for each outcome.

MAIN RESULTS

Along with the five RCTs included in the original version, we identified an additional five RCTs, resulting in 10 RCTs involving 636 participants. Preoperative exercise training results in a large reduction in the risk of developing a postoperative pulmonary complication compared to no preoperative exercise training (risk ratio (RR) 0.45, 95% CI 0.33 to 0.61; I2 = 0%; 9 studies, 573 participants; high-certainty evidence). The evidence is very uncertain about its effect on postoperative intercostal catheter duration (MD -2.07 days, 95% CI -4.64 to 0.49; I2 = 77%, 3 studies, 111 participants; very low-certainty evidence). Preoperative exercise training is likely safe as studies reported no adverse events. Preoperative exercise training likely results in a reduction in postoperative length of hospital stay (MD -2.24 days, 95% CI -3.64 to -0.85; I2 = 85%; 9 studies, 573 participants; moderate-certainty evidence). Preoperative exercise training likely increases postintervention exercise capacity measured by peak oxygen consumption (MD 3.36 mL/kg/minute, 95% CI 2.70 to 4.02; I2 = 0%; 2 studies, 191 participants; moderate-certainty evidence); but the evidence is very uncertain about its effect on postintervention exercise capacity measured by the 6-minute walk distance (MD 29.55 m, 95% CI 12.05 to 47.04; I2 = 90%; 6 studies, 474 participants; very low-certainty evidence). Preoperative exercise training may result in little to no effect on postintervention lung function (forced expiratory volume in one second: MD 5.87% predicted, 95% CI 4.46 to 7.28; I2 = 0%; 4 studies, 197 participants; low-certainty evidence).  AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative exercise training results in a large reduction in the risk of developing a postoperative pulmonary complication compared to no preoperative exercise training for people with NSCLC. It may also reduce postoperative length of hospital stay, and improve exercise capacity and lung function in people undergoing lung resection for NSCLC. The findings of this review should be interpreted with caution due to risk of bias. Research investigating the cost-effectiveness and long-term outcomes associated with preoperative exercise training in NSCLC is warranted.

Exercise testing and postoperative complications after minimally invasive lung resection: A cohort study

Background: Peak oxygen uptake (V˙O2) during cardiospulmonary exercise testing (CPET) is used to stratify postoperative risk following lung cancer resection but peak V˙O2 thresholds to predict post-operative mortality and morbidity were derived mostly from patients who underwent thoracotomy.

Objectives: We evaluated whether peak V˙O2 or other CPET-derived variables predict post-operative mortality and cardiopulmonary morbidity after minimally invasive video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for lung cancer resection.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of patients who underwent VATS lung resection between 2002 and 2019 and in whom CPET was performed. Logistic regression models were used to determine predictors of postoperative outcomes until 30 days after surgery. The ability of peak V˙O2 to discriminate between patients with and without post-operative complications was evaluated using Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis.

Results: Among the 593 patients, postoperative cardiopulmonary complications occurred in 92 (15.5%) individuals, including three deaths. Mean peak V˙O2 was 18.8 ml⋅kg⁻¹⋅min⁻¹, ranging from 7.0 to 36.4 ml⋅kg⁻¹⋅min⁻¹. Best predictors of postoperative morbidity and mortality were peripheral arterial disease, bilobectomy or pneumonectomy (versus sublobar resection), preoperative FEV₁, peak V˙O2 , and peak V˙E/V˙CO2. The proportion of patients with peak V˙O2 of < 15 ml⋅kg⁻¹⋅min⁻¹, 15 to < 20 ml⋅kg⁻¹⋅min⁻¹ and ≥ 20 ml⋅kg⁻¹⋅min⁻¹ experiencing at least one postoperative complication was 23.8, 16.3 and 10.4%, respectively. The area under the ROC curve for peak V˙O2 was 0.63 (95% CI: 0.57–0.69).

Conclusion: Although lower peak V˙O2 was a predictor of postoperative complications following VATS lung cancer resection, its ability to discriminate patients with or without complications was limited.

Prediction of postoperative cardiopulmonary complications after lung resection in a Chinese population: A machine learning-based study

Background

Approximately 20% of patients with lung cancer would experience postoperative cardiopulmonary complications after anatomic lung resection. Current prediction models for postoperative complications were not suitable for Chinese patients. This study aimed to develop and validate novel prediction models based on machine learning algorithms in a Chinese population.

Methods

Patients with lung cancer receiving anatomic lung resection and no neoadjuvant therapies from September 1, 2018 to August 31, 2019 were enrolled. The dataset was split into two cohorts at a 7:3 ratio. The logistic regression, random forest, and extreme gradient boosting were applied to construct models in the derivation cohort with 5-fold cross validation. The validation cohort accessed the model performance. The area under the curves measured the model discrimination, while the Spiegelhalter z test evaluated the model calibration.

Results

A total of 1085 patients were included, and 760 were assigned to the derivation cohort. 8.4% and 8.0% of patients experienced postoperative cardiopulmonary complications in the two cohorts. All baseline characteristics were balanced. The values of the area under the curve were 0.728, 0.721, and 0.767 for the logistic, random forest and extreme gradient boosting models, respectively. No significant differences existed among them. They all showed good calibration (p > 0.05). The logistic model consisted of male, arrhythmia, cerebrovascular disease, the percentage of predicted postoperative forced expiratory volume in one second, and the ratio of forced expiratory volume in one second to forced vital capacity. The last two variables, the percentage of forced vital capacity and age ranked in the top five important variables for novel machine learning models. A nomogram was plotted for the logistic model.

Conclusion

Three models were developed and validated for predicting postoperative cardiopulmonary complications among Chinese patients with lung cancer. They all exerted good discrimination and calibration. The percentage of predicted postoperative forced expiratory volume in one second and the ratio of forced expiratory volume in one second to forced vital capacity might be the most important variables. Further validation in different scenarios is still warranted.

Clinical Outcomes of Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy for All Stages of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer; Definitive versus Consolidative

Background and Objectives: Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) is not confined to early stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and has a potential role in stage IV disease. We aimed to evaluate the effect of SABR on local control rates and survival outcomes in patients with all stages of NSCLC according to the treatment aim. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 88 patients with NSCLC who received SABR at the Korea University Guro Hospital between January 2015 and March 2021. Among these, 64 patients with stage I–II NSCLC ineligible for surgery were treated with a definitive aim. Twenty-four patients with stage IV limited metastatic NSCLC showing a favorable response to prior systemic therapy were treated with a consolidative aim. Results: The median follow-up time was 34 (range: 5–88) months. Thirty-one patients developed recurrence (35.2%), with distant metastasis being the most common (25/31, 80.6%). In-field local recurrence occurred in four patients (4/88 patients, 4.5%). For patients treated with definitive SABR, the 3-year overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) rates were 91.8% and 58.6%, respectively. In patients treated with consolidative SABR, the 3-year OS and DFS rates were 86.7% and 53.8%, respectively. With respect to treatment-related pulmonary toxicity, grade 3 radiation pneumonitis incidence requiring hospitalization was 2.3% (2/88). Conclusions: Definitive SABR is appropriate for medically inoperable or high surgical risk patients with early stage NSCLC with acceptable treatment-related toxicities. Consolidative SABR improves local control rates and helps achieve long-term survival in patients with limited metastatic NSCLC.

Ventilatory efficiency in combination with peak oxygen uptake improves risk stratification in patients undergoing lobectomy

Objective

We aimed to evaluate whether or not using the slope of the increase in minute ventilation in relation to carbon dioxide (VE/VCo₂-slope), with a cutoff value of 35, could improve risk stratification for major pulmonary complications or death following lobectomy in lung cancer patients at moderate risk (Vo_2peak = 10-20 mL/kg/min).

Methods

Single center, retrospective analysis of 146 patients with lung cancer who underwent lobectomy and preoperative cardiopulmonary exercise testing in 2008-2020. The main outcome was any major pulmonary complication or death within 30 days of surgery. Patients were categorized based on their preoperative cardiopulmonary exercise testing as: low-risk group, peak oxygen uptake >20 mL/kg/min; low-moderate risk, peak oxygen uptake 10 to 20 mL/kg/min and VE/VCo₂-slope <35; and moderate-high risk, peak oxygen uptake 10 to 20 mL/kg/min and VE/VCo₂-slope ≥35. The frequency of complications between groups was compared using χ² test. Logistic regression was used to calculate the odds ratio with 95% CI for the main outcome based on the cardiopulmonary exercise testing group.

Results

Overall, 25 patients (17%) experienced a major pulmonary complication or died (2 deaths). The frequency of complications differed between the cardiopulmonary exercise testing groups: 29%, 13%, and 8% in the moderate-high, low-moderate, and low-risk group, respectively (P = .023). Using the low-risk group as reference, the adjusted odds ratio for the low-moderate risk group was 3.44 (95% CI, 0.66-17.90), whereas the odds ratio for the moderate-high risk group was 8.87 (95% CI, 1.86-42.39).

Conclusions

Using the VE/VCo₂-slope with a cutoff value of 35 improved risk stratification for major pulmonary complications following lobectomy in lung cancer patients with moderate risk based on a peak oxygen uptake of 10 to 20 mL/kg/min. This suggests that the VE/VCo₂-slope can be used for preoperative risk evaluation in lung cancer lobectomy.

Cancer; Pathophysiology and Stress Modulation (Cancer, Therapeutic Interventions)

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this review is to describe the myriad complications of cancer and its therapies to emphasize the pathophysiological need for prehabilitation.

DATA SOURCES

The information presented in this review is from applicable, peer-reviewed scientific articles.

CONCLUSION

Cancer itself renders negative effects on the body, most notably unintentional weight loss and fatigue. Cancer treatments, especially surgical interventions, can cause detrimental short- and long-term impacts on patients, which translate to suboptimal treatment outcomes. Prehabilitation can be used to improve patient health prior to anticancer therapies to improve treatment tolerance and efficacy.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE

Nurses play an important role in the treatment of patients with cancer throughout the cancer care continuum. Many nurses are already aiding their patients in cancer prehabilitation through education. By describing common impairments amenable to multimodal prehabilitation, nurses may better advocate for their patients and can become even more involved in this aspect of care.

Ventilatory efficiency is superior to peak oxygen uptake for prediction of lung resection cardiovascular complications

Introduction

Ventilatory efficiency (V_E/VCO₂ slope) has been shown superior to peak oxygen consumption (VO₂) for prediction of post-operative pulmonary complications in patients undergoing thoracotomy. V_E/VCO₂ slope is determined by ventilatory drive and ventilation/perfusion mismatch whereas VO₂ is related to cardiac output and arteriovenous oxygen difference. We hypothesized pre-operative VO₂ predicts post-operative cardiovascular complications in patients undergoing lung resection.

Methods

Lung resection candidates from a published study were evaluated by post-hoc analysis. All of the patients underwent preoperative cardiopulmonary exercise testing. Post-operative cardiovascular complications were assessed during the first 30 post-operative days or hospital stay. One-way analysis of variance or the Kruskal–Wallis test, and multivariate logistic regression were used for statistical analysis and data summarized as median (IQR).

Results

Of 353 subjects, 30 (9%) developed pulmonary complications only (excluded from further analysis), while 78 subjects (22%) developed cardiovascular complications and were divided into two groups for analysis: cardiovascular only (n = 49) and cardiovascular with pulmonary complications (n = 29). Compared to patients without complications (n = 245), peak VO₂ was significantly lower in the cardiovascular with pulmonary complications group [19.9 ml/kg/min (16.5–25) vs. 16.3 ml/kg/min (15–20.3); P<0.01] but not in the cardiovascular only complications group [19.9 ml/kg/min (16.5–25) vs 19.0 ml/kg/min (16–23.1); P = 0.18]. In contrast, V_E/VCO₂ slope was significantly higher in both cardiovascular only [29 (25–33) vs. 31 (27–37); P = 0.05] and cardiovascular with pulmonary complication groups [29 (25–33) vs. 37 (34–42); P<0.01)]. Logistic regression analysis showed V_E/VCO₂ slope [OR = 1.06; 95%CI (1.01–1.11); P = 0.01; AUC = 0.74], but not peak VO₂ to be independently associated with post-operative cardiovascular complications.

Conclusion

V_E/VCO₂ slope is superior to peak VO₂ for prediction of post-operative cardiovascular complications in lung resection candidates.

Predictive value of modified systemic inflammation score for postoperative unplanned ICU admission in patients with NSCLC

Background

The purpose of this study was to investigate the predictive value of the modified systemic inflammation score (mSIS) in postoperative unplanned admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods

The clinical data of 1,321 patients with NSCLC treated with thoracic surgery in our hospital from August 2019 to June 2021 were analyzed retrospectively. The preoperative mSIS, which takes into account the serum albumin (ALB) level and lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR), was recorded as 0, 1 or 2 and then was used to identify high-risk patients with unplanned admission to the ICU. The independent risk factors for unplanned admission to the ICU in patients with NSCLC after surgery were identified by multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Results

A total of 1,321 patients, including 549 (41.6%) males and 772 (58.4%) females, were included. The median age was 57 years (range 16–95 years). The incidence of unplanned admission to the ICU in patients with mSIS = 2 was significantly higher than that in those with mSIS = 0 and mSIS = 1. The multivariate analysis showed that an mSIS of 2 (OR = 3.728; P = 0.004; 95% CI, 1.520–9.143), an alcohol consumption history (OR = 2.791, P = 0.011; 95% CI, 1.262–6.171), intraoperative infusion volume (OR = 1.001, P = 0.021; 95% CI, 1.000–1.001) and preoperative underlying diseases (OR = 3. 57, P = 0.004; 95% CI, 1.497–8.552) were independent risk factors for unplanned admission to the ICU after lung cancer surgery. In addition, the multivariate logistic regression model showed that the C-statistic value was 0.799 (95% CI: 0.726∼0.872, P &lt; 0.001).

Conclusions

The mSIS scoring system can be used as a simplified and effective predictive tool for unplanned ICU admission in patients with NSCLC.

Similar outcomes after newly implemented rats approach compared to standard vats for anatomical lung resection. A propensity-score matched analysis

INTRODUCTION

Outcomes after the introduction of surgical innovations can be impaired by learning periods. The aim of this study is to compare the short-term outcomes of a recently implemented RATS approach to a standard VATS program for anatomical lung resections.

METHODS

Retrospective review of consecutive patients undergoing pulmonary anatomical resection through a minimally invasive approach since RATS approach was applied in our department (June 01, 2018, to November 30, 2019). Propensity score matching was performed according to patients' age, gender, ppoFEV1, cardiac comorbidity, type of malignancy, and type of resection. Outcome evaluation includes: overall morbidity, significant complications (cardiac arrhythmia, pneumonia, prolonged air leak, and reoperation), 30-day mortality, and length of hospital stay. Data were compared by two-sided chi-square or Fisher's exact test for categorical and Mann-Whitney U test for continuous variables.

RESULTS

A total of 273 patients (206 VATS, 67 RATS) were included in the study. After propensity score matching, data of 132 patients were analyzed. The thirty-days mortality was nil. Overall morbidity (RATS: 22.4%, VATS: 29.2%; p=0.369), major complications (RATS: 9% vs VATS: 9.2%; p=0.956) and the rates of specific major complications (cardiac arrhythmia RATS: 4.5%, VATS: 4.6%, p=1; pneumonia RATS:0%, VATS:4.6%, p=0.117; prolonged air leak RATS: 7.5%; VATS: 4.6%, p=0.718) and reoperation (RATS: 3%, VATS: 1.5%, p=1) were comparable between both groups. The median length of stay was 3 days in both groups (p=0.101).

CONCLUSIONS

A RATS program for anatomical lung resection can be implemented safely by experienced VATS surgeons without increasing morbidity rates.

Thoracic surgery with geriatric assessment and collaboration can prepare frail older adults for lung cancer surgery

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

We assessed frailty, measured by a comprehensive geriatric assessment-based frailty index (FI-CGA), and its association with postoperative outcomes among older thoracic surgical patients.

METHODS

Patients aged ≥65 years evaluated in the geriatric-thoracic clinic between June 2016 through May 2020 who underwent lung surgery were included. Frailty was defined as FI-CGA > 0.2, and "occult frailty", a level not often recognized by surgical teams, as 0.2 < FI-CGA < 0.4. A qualitative analysis of geriatric interventions was performed.

RESULTS

Seventy-three patients were included, of which 45 (62%) were nonfrail and 28 (38%) were frail. "Occult frailty" was present in 23/28 (82%). Sixty-one (84%) had lung malignancy. Geriatric interventions included delirium management, geriatric-specific pain and bowel regimens, and frailty optimization. More sublobar resections versus lobectomies (61% vs. 25%) were performed among frail patients. Frailty was not significantly associated with overall complications (odds ratio [OR]: 2.4; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.88-6.44; p = 0.087), major complications (OR: 2.33; 95% CI: 0.48-12.69; p = 0.293), discharge disposition (OR: 2.8; 95% CI: 0.71-11.95; p = 0.141), or longer hospital stay (1.3 more days; p = 0.18).

CONCLUSION

Frailty and "occult frailty" are prevalent in patients undergoing lung surgery. However, with integrated geriatric management, these patients can safely undergo surgery.

Factors Affecting Postoperative Lung Functions in Patients Undergoing Lobectomy for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Background and Objectives: The estimation of lung function impairment after pulmonary lobectomy for primary non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has been of great interest since the reduction of respiratory function might severely affect a patient’s quality of life. The perioperative factors that may have an influence on widening the gap between the postoperative measured lung function and predicted postoperative lung function were our greatest concern. We aimed to analyze the perioperative patient factors that may influence postoperative lung function in patients undergoing pulmonary lobectomy. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted using the medical records of 199 patients who underwent lobectomy for lung cancer between July 2017 and May 2020. After comparing the achieved postoperative forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and predicted postoperative (ppo) FEV1, patients were divided into two groups: group A (n = 127), who had preserved pulmonary lung function; and group B (n = 72), who had decreased pulmonary lung function. Primary endpoints included location of pulmonary resection, preoperative performance status, body mass index (BMI) on admission, total muscle area, and muscle index. Results In group A, the proportion of normal weighted patients was significantly higher than that in group B (67.7% vs. 47.2%, p = 0.003). Conversely, the proportion of overweight patients was significantly higher in group B than in group A (47.2% vs. 28.3%, p = 0.003). Group B had a significantly high incidence of upper lobe resection (p = 0.012). The mean total muscle area in group A was higher than that in group B, but the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusions: A greater decrease in postoperative lung function than in ppo FEV1 was associated with BMI and the location of pulmonary resection in patients who underwent lobectomy. Postoperative physiologic changes due to high BMI and the resection of upper lobes need to be discussed to prevent postoperative morbidities.

Resting Physiologic Dead Space as Predictor of Postoperative Pulmonary Complications After Robotic-Assisted Lung Resection: A Pilot Study

Lung resection surgery carries significant risks of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPC). Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) is performed to predict risk of PPC in patients with severely reduced predicted postoperative forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and diffusion of carbon monoxide (DLCO). Recently, resting end-tidal partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PETCO₂) has been shown as a good predictor for increased risk of PPC. However, breath-breath breathing pattern significantly affects PETCO₂. Resting physiologic dead space (VD), and physiologic dead space to tidal volume ratio (VD/VT), may be a better predictor of PPC than PETCO₂. The objective of this study was to prospectively determine the utility of resting measurements of VD and VD/VT in predicting PPC in patients who underwent robotic-assisted lung resection for suspected or biopsy-proven lung malignancy. Thirty-five consecutive patients were included in the study. Patients underwent preoperative pulmonary function testing, symptom-limited CPET, and a 6-min walk test. In the first 2 min prior to the exercise portion of the CPET, we obtained resting VT, minute ventilation (V˙E), VD (less instrument dead space), VD/VT, PETCO₂, and arterial blood gases. PPC within 90 days were recorded. Fourteen (40%) patients had one or more PPC. Patients with PPC had significantly elevated resting VD compared to those without (0.318 ± 0.028 L vs. 0.230 ± 0.017 L (± SE), p < 0.006), and a trend toward increased VD/VT (0.35 ± 0.02 vs. 0.31 ± 0.02, p = 0.051). Area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) for VD was 0.81 (p < 0.002), VD/VT was 0.68 (p = 0.077), and PETCO₂ was 0.52 (p = 0.840). Peak V˙O₂, V˙E/ V˙CO₂ slope, pulmonary function tests, 6-min walk distance and arterial blood gases were similar between the two groups. Intensive care unit and total hospital length of stay was significantly longer in those with PPC. In conclusion, preoperative resting VD was significantly elevated in patients with PPC. The observed increase in resting VD may be a potentially useful predictor of PPC in patients undergoing robotic-assisted lung resection surgery for suspected or biopsy-proven lung malignancy. A large prospective study is needed for confirmation.

Outcome of lung oligometastatic patients treated with stereotactic body irradiation

Purpose

The oligometastatic stage is an intermediate stage of cancer between the localized stage and polymetastatic stage. The prognosis of patients in this stage also appears to be intermediate. Lung stereotactic body radiotherapy is a possible tool for treating oligometastatic lung sites. The objective of our study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes in terms of local control, progression-free survival, overall survival, and toxicity of SBRT in oligometastatic patients with lung metastases from any solid primary tumor.

Materials and methods

Clinical records of consecutive lung oligometastatic patients treated between January 2010 and December 2020 for lung SBRT at 60 Gy in 3- or 8-fraction schedules and a controlled primary tumor were retrospectively analyzed.

Results

After a median follow-up of 20.3 months, local failure occurred for 14 lesions, 57 patients experienced lung progression, and 64 patients experienced disease progression. Overall survival rates at 1 and 2 years were 85.6 and 69.7%, respectively. Fifty-two patients experienced radiation pneumonitis, but only 2 patients were symptomatic and presented grade 2 late pneumonitis. No grade 3-4 toxicity was observed. ECOG 0 was the only prognostic factor for overall survival (HR = 3.5; 95% CI 3.2-3.8; p < 0.01).

Conclusion

SBRT with a 60-Gy schedule in 8 fractions is an effective and well-tolerated treatment for patients with lung oligometastases from any solid primary tumor.

Effects of enhanced recovery after surgery plus pulmonary rehabilitation on complications after video-assisted lung cancer surgery: a multicentre randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Lung cancer surgery is associated with a high incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs). We evaluated whether enhanced recovery after surgery plus pulmonary rehabilitation was superior over enhanced recovery after surgery alone in reducing the incidence of postoperative PPCs and length of hospital stay.

METHODS

In this pragmatic multicentre, randomised controlled, parallel-group clinical trial, eligible patients scheduled for video-assisted lung cancer surgery were randomly assigned (1:1) to either a newly developed programme that integrated preoperative and postoperative pulmonary rehabilitation components into a generic thoracic enhanced recovery after surgery pathway, or routine thoracic enhanced recovery after surgery. Primary outcome was the overall occurrence of PPCs within 2 weeks after surgery. Secondary outcomes were the occurrence of specific complications, time to removal of chest drain, and length of hospital stay (LOS).

RESULTS

Of 428 patients scheduled for lung cancer surgery, 374 were randomised with 187 allocated to the experimental programme and 187 to control. Incidence of PPCs at 14 Days was 18.7% (35/187) in the experimental group and 33.2% (62/187) in the control group (intention-to-treat, unadjusted HR 0.524, 95% CI 0.347 to 0.792, p=0.002). Particularly, significant risk reduction was observed regarding pleural effusion, pneumonia and atelectasis. Time to removal of chest drain and LOS were not significantly reduced in the experimental group.

CONCLUSIONS

Adding pulmonary rehabilitation to enhanced recovery after surgery appears to be effective in reducing the incidence of PPCs, but not LOS. Standard integration of pulmonary rehabilitation into thoracic enhanced recovery after surgery is a promising approach to PPC prophylaxis.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ChiCTR1900024646.

Rapid Recovery of Postoperative Pulmonary Function in Patients With Lung Cancer and Influencing Factors

Among malignant tumors, lung cancer has the highest morbidity and mortality worldwide. Surgery is the first-line treatment for early-stage lung cancers, and has gradually advanced from conventional open-chest surgery to video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). Additionally, increasingly smaller surgical incisions and less surgical trauma have resulted in reduced pulmonary function damage. Previous studies have found that the level of pulmonary function loss and recovery is significantly correlated with postoperative complications and the quality of life. Thus, an accurate assessment of the preoperative pulmonary function and effective rehabilitation of postoperative pulmonary function are highly important for patients undergoing lung surgery. In addition, pulmonary function assessment after pulmonary rehabilitation serves as an objective indicator of the postoperative pulmonary rehabilitation status and is crucial to facilitating pulmonary function recovery. Furthermore, a complete preoperative assessment and effective rehabilitation are especially critical in elderly patients with pulmonary tumors, poor basic physiological functions, comorbid lung diseases, and other underlying diseases. In this review, we summarize the clinical significance of pulmonary function assessment in patients undergoing lung cancer surgery, postoperative changes in pulmonary function, effective pulmonary function rehabilitation, and the influencing factors of pulmonary function rehabilitation.

Chest three-dimensional-computed tomography imaging data analysis for the variation of exercise capacity after lung lobectomy

BACKGROUND

Postoperative loss of exercise capacity and pulmonary function is a major concern among lung cancer patients. In this study, the time for a stair-climbing to 12-m height was used to investigate whether preoperative chest 3D-computed tomography (CT) could be a useful tool for predicting postoperative variations in exercise capacity and pulmonary function.

METHODS

Seventy-eight patients undergoing lobectomy for suspected stage I lung cancer were prospectively enrolled. Preoperatively, lobe volume and low attenuation volume (LAV) were evaluated using the SYNAPSE VINCENT system. Preoperative data on stair-climbing time, spirometry, and diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DL_CO ) at baseline and 6-month postoperative data were used to evaluate variations in exercise capacity and pulmonary function. Maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂ t) was evaluated based on the stair-climbing time.

RESULTS

Significant differences in the variation of exercise capacity at 6 months postoperatively were found between the groups categorized by target lobe volume and LAV status: The large volume/LAV (+) group had a greater decline in VO₂ t. Mean loss of VO₂ t was -6.2%, -1.4%, -1.6%, and -0.1% in the large volume/LAV (+), large volume/LAV (-), small volume/LAV (+), and small volume/LAV (-) groups, respectively. The large volume/LAV (-) group had a greater decline in forced expiratory volume in 1 s. The small volume/LAV (+) group showed a reduced decline in the DL_CO .

CONCLUSIONS

Analysis of chest 3D-CT scans is a potential tool for predicting the loss of exercise capacity and pulmonary function after lung lobectomy. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Comorbidity and life expectancy in shared decision making for lung cancer screening

Shared decision making (SDM) is an important part of lung cancer screening (LCS) that includes discussing the risks and benefits of screening, potential outcomes, patient eligibility and willingness to participate, tobacco cessation, and tailoring a strategy to an individual patient. More than other cancer screening tests, eligibility for LCS is nuanced, incorporating the patient's age as well as tobacco use history and overall health status. Since comorbidities and multimorbidity (ie, 2 or more comorbidities) impact the risks and benefits of LCS, these topics are a fundamental part of decision-making. However, there is currently little evidence available to guide clinicians in addressing comorbidities and an individual's "appropriateness" for LCS during SDM visits. Therefore, this literature review investigates the impact of comorbidities and multimorbidity among patients undergoing LCS. Based on available evidence and guideline recommendations, we identify comorbidities that should be considered during SDM conversations and review best practices for navigating SDM conversations in the context of LCS. Three conditions are highlighted since they concomitantly portend higher risk of developing lung cancer, potentially increase risk of screening-related evaluation and treatment complications and can be associated with limited life expectancy: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and human immunodeficiency virus infection.

A guide for managing patients with stage I NSCLC: deciding between lobectomy, segmentectomy, wedge, SBRT and ablation-part 3: systematic review of evidence regarding surgery in compromised patients or specific tumors

Background

Clinical decision-making for patients with stage I lung cancer is complex. It involves multiple options [lobectomy, segmentectomy, wedge, stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT), thermal ablation], weighing multiple outcomes (e.g., short-, intermediate-, long-term) and multiple aspects of each (e.g., magnitude of a difference, the degree of confidence in the evidence, and the applicability to the patient and setting at hand). A structure is needed to summarize the relevant evidence for an individual patient and to identify which outcomes have the greatest impact on the decision-making.

Methods

A PubMed systematic review from 2000-2021 of outcomes after lobectomy, segmentectomy and wedge resection in older patients, patients with limited pulmonary reserve and favorable tumors is the focus of this paper. Evidence was abstracted from randomized trials and non-randomized comparisons (NRCs) with adjustment for confounders. The analysis involved careful assessment, including characteristics of patients, settings, residual confounding etc. to expose degrees of uncertainty and applicability to individual patients. Evidence is summarized that provides an at-a-glance overall impression as well as the ability to delve into layers of details of the patients, settings and treatments involved.

Results

In older patients, perioperative mortality is minimally altered by resection extent and only slightly affected by increasing age; sublobar resection may slightly decrease morbidity. Long-term outcomes are worse after lesser resection; the difference is slightly attenuated with increasing age. Reported short-term outcomes are quite acceptable in (selected) patients with severely limited pulmonary reserve, not clearly altered by resection extent but substantially improved by a minimally invasive approach. Quality-of-life (QOL) and impact on pulmonary function hasn't been well studied, but there appears to be little difference by resection extent in older or compromised patients. Patient selection is paramount but not well defined. Ground-glass and screen-detected tumors exhibit favorable long-term outcomes regardless of resection extent; however solid tumors <1 cm are not a reliably favorable group.

Conclusions

A systematic, comprehensive summary of evidence regarding resection extent in compromised patients and favorable tumors with attention to aspects of applicability, uncertainty and effect modifiers provides a foundation for a framework for individualized decision-making.

Spirometry at diagnosis and overall survival in non-small cell lung cancer patients

Pulmonary function can predict all-cause mortality, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with worse overall survival (OS) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Though pre-operative lung function is predictive of in-hospital mortality following lung cancer surgery, its predictive utility for long-term survival is unclear. The prognostic role of commonly used spirometry tests in survival of lung cancer also remains uncertain. This study evaluates the role of spirometry at lung cancer diagnosis in predicting OS of NSCLC patients. This was a retrospective study using data from the Boston Lung Cancer Study on newly diagnosed NSCLC patients with spirometry tests performed before cancer therapy (n = 2805). Spirometric test values, after being categorized using quartiles, were analyzed for association with OS using univariate and risk-adjusted multiple regression models. Further, we analyzed OS by the status of COPD determined by spirometry, and, among those with COPD, by its stage defined by the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease criteria. Both univariate and multiple regression models demonstrated that lower quartiles of actual and percent predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 second and forced vital capacity at lung cancer diagnosis were significantly associated with worse OS. Spirometry-determined COPD, and more advanced stage of COPD at lung cancer diagnosis were associated with worse lung cancer OS. The findings provide evidence that a good pulmonary function at diagnosis may help improve OS in NSCLC patients.

Preoperative Master's double two-step test may predict survival after lobectomy in patients with lung cancer

Background

The Master’s double two-step test (MDT), which is used to screen for coronary heart disease, is difficult for physically impaired patients to complete. The purpose of this study was to clarify the relationship between the results of the MDT and prognosis after lung cancer surgery.

Methods

Between May 2004 and September 2019, 1,434 patients underwent complete resection for lung cancer at our hospital. Among them, 418 with pathological stage I disease who underwent lobectomy were evaluated. We defined patients who could accomplish the MDT as the complete MDT group and those who could not as the incomplete MDT group. Patients who could not perform the MDT due to physical problems were included in the incomplete MDT group. We explored the prognostic impact of the MDT results in these patients.

Results

Fifty-three patients (12.7%) were in the incomplete MDT group; compared with the complete MDT group, they were older and had poorer performance status and respiratory function. However, the incidence of postoperative complications and 90-day mortality did not differ significantly between groups. Multivariate analyses revealed that age (p < 0.001), Charlson comorbidity index (p = 0.013), incomplete MDT (p = 0.049) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level (p = 0.003) were prognostic factors for worse overall survival; age (p < 0.001) and incomplete MDT (p = 0.022) were prognostic factors for worse non-cancer-specific survival.

Conclusions

Although incomplete MDT was not associated with postoperative complications, 90-day mortality or cancer-specific survival, MDT results may be significantly associated with non-cancer-specific survival.

"Obesity paradox" has not an impact on minimally invasive anatomical lung resection

INTRODUCTION

The paradoxical benefit of obesity, the 'obesity paradox', has been analyzed in lung surgical populations with contradictory results. Our goal was assessing the relationship of body mass index (BMI) to acute outcomes after minimally invasive major pulmonary resections.

METHODS

Retrospective review of consecutive patients who underwent pulmonary anatomical resection through a minimally invasive approach for the period 2014-2019. Patients were grouped as underweight, normal, overweight and obese type I, II and III. Adjusted odds ratios regarding postoperative complications (overall, respiratory, cardiovascular and surgical morbidity) were produced with their exact 95% confidence intervals. All tests were considered statistically significant at p<0.05.

RESULTS

Among 722 patients included in the study, 37.7% had a normal BMI and 61.8% were overweight or obese patients. When compared with that of normal BMI patients, adjusted pulmonary complications were significantly higher in obese type I patients (2.6% vs 10.6%, OR: 4.53 [95%CI: 1.86-12.11]) and obese type II-III (2.6% vs 10%, OR: 6.09 [95%CI: 1.38-26.89]). No significant differences were found regarding overall, cardiovascular or surgical complications among groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Obesity has not favourable effects on early outcomes in patients undergoing minimally invasive anatomical lung resections, since the risk of respiratory complications in patients with BMI≥30kg/m² and BMI≥35kg/m² is 4.5 and 6 times higher than that of patients with normal BMI.

Assessment of Treatment Strategies for Stage I Non-small Cell Lung Cancer in Patients with Comorbidities

INTRODUCTION

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients frequently have major comorbidities but there is scarce data regarding the impact of these conditions on management strategies. We used simulation modeling to compare different treatments for stage I NSCLC for patients with common major comorbidities.

METHODS

We used data on NSCLC patinet outcomes and quality of life from: (1) the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database linked to Medicare claims; (2) Kaiser Permanente Southern California electronic health records; and (3) SEER-Medical Health Outcomes Survey to parameterize a novel simulation model of management and outcomes for stage I NSCLC. Relative efficacy of treatment modalities (lobectomy, segmentectomy, wedge resection and stereotactic body radiotherapy [SBRT]) was collected from existing literature and combined using evidence synthesis methods. We then simulated multiple randomized trials comparing these treatments in a variety of scenarios, estimating quality adjusted life expectancy (QALE) according to age, tumor size, histologic subtype, and comorbidity status.

RESULTS

Lobectomy and segmentectomy yielded the greatest QALE gains among all simulated age, tumor size and comorbidity groups. Optimal treatment strategies differed by patient sex and age; wedge resection was among the optimal strategies for women aged 80-84 with tumors 0-2 cm in size. SBRT was included in some optimal strategies for patients aged 80-84 with multimorbidity.

CONCLUSIONS

In simulated comparative trials of four common treatments for stage I NSCLC, aggressive surgical management was typically associated with the greatest projected QALE gains despite the presence of comorbidities, although less aggressive strategies were predicted to be non-inferior in some older comorbid patient groups.

Clinical guide to perioperative management for videothoracoscopy lung resection (Section of Cardiac, Vascular and Thoracic Anesthesia, SEDAR; Spanish Society of Thoracic Surgery, SECT; Spanish Society of Physiotherapy)

The introduction of video-assisted thoracoscopic (VATS) techniques has led to a new approach in thoracic surgery. VATS is performed by inserting a thoracoscope through a small incisions in the chest wall, thus maximizing the preservation of muscle and tissue. Because of its low rate of morbidity and mortality, VATS is currently the technique of choice in most thoracic procedures. Lung resection by VATS reduces prolonged air leaks, arrhythmia, pneumonia, postoperative pain and inflammatory markers. This reduction in postoperative complications shortens hospital length of stay, and is particularly beneficial in high-risk patients with low tolerance to thoracotomy. Compared with conventional thoracotomy, the oncological results of VATS surgery are similar or even superior to those of open surgery. This aim of this multidisciplinary position statement produced by the thoracic surgery working group of the Spanish Society of Anesthesiology and Reanimation (SEDAR), the Spanish Society of Thoracic Surgery (SECT), and the Spanish Association of Physiotherapy (AEF) is to standardize and disseminate a series of perioperative anaesthesia management guidelines for patients undergoing VATS lung resection surgery. Each recommendation is based on an in-depth review of the available literature by the authors. In this document, the care of patients undergoing VATS surgery is organized in sections, starting with the surgical approach, and followed by the three pillars of anaesthesia management: preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative anaesthesia.

Urban–Rural Disparities in the Lung Cancer Surgical Treatment Pathway: The Paradox of a Rich, Small Region

Introduction

Rural populations in large countries often receive delayed or less effective diagnosis and treatment for lung cancer. Differences are related to population-based factors such as lower pro capita income or increased risk factors or to differences in access to facilities. Switzerland is a small, rich country with peculiar geographic and urban characteristics.

We explored the relationship between lung cancer diagnostic–surgical pathway and urban–rural residency in our region.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 280 consecutive patients treated for primary non-small cell lung cancer at our institution (2017–2021). This is a regional tertiary center for diagnosis and treatment, and data were extracted from a prospectively collected clinical database. We included anatomical lung resection. Collected variables included patients and surgical characteristics, risk factors, comorbidities, histology and staging, symptoms (vs. incidental diagnosis), general practitioner (GP) involvement, health insurance, and suspected test-treatment interval. The exposure was rurality, defined by the 2009 rural–urban residency classification from the Department of Land.

Results

A total of 150 patients (54%) lived in rural areas. Rural patients had a higher rate of smoking history (93% vs. 82%; p = 0.007). Symptomatic vs. incidental diagnosis did not differ as well as previous cancer rate, insurance, and pathological staging. In rural patients, there was a greater burden of comorbidities (mean Charlson Comorbidity Index Age-Adjusted 5.3 in rural population vs. 4.8 in urban population, p = 0.05), and GP was more involved in the diagnostic pathway (51% vs. 39%, p = 0.04). The interval between the first suspected test and treatment was significantly shorter (56 vs. 66.5 days, p = 0.03). Multiple linear regression with backward elimination was run. These variables statistically predicted the time from the first suspected test and surgical treatment [F(3, 270), p < .05, R² = 0.24]: rurality (p = 0.04), GP involvement (p = 0.04), and presence of lung cancer-related symptoms (p = 0.02).

Conclusions

In our territory with inhomogeneous population distribution and geographic barriers, residency has an impact on the lung cancer pathway. It seems paradoxical that rural patients had a shorter route. The more constant involvement of GP might explain this finding, having suggested more tests for high-risk patients in the absence of symptoms or follow-ups. This did not change the staging of surgical patients, but it might be essential for the organization of an effective lung cancer screening program.

Nongated computed tomography predicts perioperative cardiovascular risk in lung cancer surgery

BACKGROUND

The coronary artery calcification score (CACS) is a strong predictor of cardiovascular events and mortality, which can be assessed by nongated chest computed tomography (CT). The study aimed to determine whether CACS based on nongated CT is predictive of perioperative cardiovascular events during intermediate-risk lung cancer surgery.

METHODS

In this retrospective, single-center study, we used nongated CT images to evaluate CACS in 4,491 lung cancer patients who underwent intermediate-risk surgeries. Perioperative cardiovascular events were defined as in-hospital cardiac death, nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI), heart failure, atrial and ventricular arrhythmia with hemodynamic compromise, and complete heart block. Risk factors of perioperative cardiovascular were identified using multivariate logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

In total, 110 inpatients (2.5%) experienced perioperative cardiac events. Coronary calcification was observed on nongated CT in 1,070 (23.8%) patients. CACS was significantly associated with the incidence of cardiovascular events and longer hospital stays. According to receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the CACS cutoff value was set to 1. In the multivariate analysis, CACS ≥1 (odds ratio (OR) = 1.75, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.14-2.68, p = 0.011) or the number of calcified vessels (OR = 1.23, 95%CI: 1.01-1.50, p = 0.043), age, forced expiratory volume in one second/predicted, operation time, and thoracotomy were predictive of cardiovascular complications.

CONCLUSIONS

CACS is an independent predictor of severe perioperative cardiovascular risk in patients undergoing intermediate-risk lung cancer surgery. CACS may represent a valuable tool for preoperative risk assessments among these patients.

GOECP/SEOR radiotheraphy guidelines for non-small-cell lung cancer

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a heterogeneous disease accounting for approximately 85% of all lung cancers. Only 17% of patients are diagnosed at an early stage. Treatment is multidisciplinary and radiotherapy plays a key role in all stages of the disease. More than 50% of patients with NSCLC are treated with radiotherapy (curative-intent or palliative). Technological advances-including highly conformal radiotherapy techniques, new immobilization and respiratory control systems, and precision image verification systems-allow clinicians to individualize treatment to maximize tumor control while minimizing treatment-related toxicity. Novel therapeutic regimens such as moderate hypofractionation and advanced techniques such as stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) have reduced the number of radiotherapy sessions. The integration of SBRT into routine clinical practice has radically altered treatment of early-stage disease. SBRT also plays an increasingly important role in oligometastatic disease. The aim of the present guidelines is to review the role of radiotherapy in the treatment of localized, locally-advanced, and metastatic NSCLC. We review the main radiotherapy techniques and clarify the role of radiotherapy in routine clinical practice. These guidelines are based on the best available evidence. The level and grade of evidence supporting each recommendation is provided.

Baseline Electrocardiographic and Echocardiographic Assessment May Help Predict Survival in Lung Cancer Patients-A Prospective Cardio-Oncology Study

Cardiovascular disease and cancer coexist and lead to exertional dyspnea. The aim of the study was to determine the prognostic significance of cardiac comorbidities, ECG and baseline echocardiography in lung cancer patients with varying degrees of reduced performance status. This prospective study included 104 patients with histopathologically confirmed lung cancer, pre-qualified for systemic treatment due to metastatic or locally advanced malignancy but not eligible for thoracic surgery. The patients underwent a comprehensive cardio-oncological evaluation. Overall survival negative predictors included low ECOG 2 (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group) performance status, stage IV (bone or liver/adrenal metastases in particular), pleural effusion, the use of analgesics and among cardiac factors, two ECG parameters: atrial fibrillation (HR = 2.39) and heart rate >90/min (HR = 1.67). Among echocardiographic parameters, RVSP > 39 mmHg was a negative predictor (HR = 2.01), while RVSP < 21 mmHg and RV free wall strain < −30% were positive predictors (HR = 0.36 and HR = 0.56, respectively), whereas RV GLS < −25.5% had a borderline significance (HR = 0.59; p = 0.05). Logistical regression analysis showed ECOG = 2 significantly correlated with the following echocardiographic parameters: increasing RVSP, RV GLS, RV free wall strain and decreasing ACT, FAC (p < 0.05). Selected echocardiographic parameters may be helpful in predicting poor performance in lung cancer patients and, supplemented with ECG evaluation, broaden the possibilities of prognostic evaluation.

The 6-minute stepper test and the sit-to-stand test predict complications after major pulmonary resection via minimally invasive surgery: a prospective inception cohort study

QUESTIONS

How well do the 6-minute stepper test (6MST) and sit-to-stand test (STST) predict complications after minimally invasive lung cancer resection? Do the 6MST and STST provide supplementary information on the risk of postoperative complications in addition to the prognostic variables that are currently used, such as age and the American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) score?

DESIGN

Prospective inception cohort study with follow-up for 90 days.

PARTICIPANTS

Consecutive sample of adults undergoing major lung resection with video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) or robot-assisted thoracic surgery (RATS).

OUTCOME MEASURES

Patients had a preoperative functional evaluation with the 6MST and STST. The number of steps, heart rate change, saturation and dyspnoea during the 6MST and the number of lifts during the STST were recorded. Complications graded ≥ 2 on the Clavien-Dindo classification were recorded for 90 days after surgery.

RESULTS

Between November 2018 and November 2019, 118 patients with a mean age of 65 years (SD 9) were included and analysed. Their surgeries were via VATS in 88 (75%) and via RATS in 30 (25%). For predicting a postoperative complication graded ≥ 2 on the Clavien-Dindo classification, the area under the Receiver Operating Characteristic curve was: 0.82 (95% CI 0.75 to 0.90) for the number of steps during the 6MST, with an optimum cut-off of 140 steps; and 0.85 (95% CI 0.77 to 0.93) for the number of lifts during the STST, with an optimum cut-off of 20 lifts.

CONCLUSION

The 6MST and STST predicted morbidity and mortality after lung cancer resection via minimally invasive surgery. The preoperative use of these exercise tests in clinical practice may be useful for risk stratification.

REGISTRATION

NCT03824977.

Recommendations of the Society of Thoracic Surgery and the Section of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery of the Spanish Society of Anesthesia, Resuscitation and Pain Therapy, for patients undergoing lung surgery included in an intensified recovery program

In recent years, multidisciplinary programs have been implemented that include different actions during the pre, intra and postoperative period, aimed at reducing perioperative stress and therefore improving the results of patients undergoing surgical interventions. Initially, these programs were developed for colorectal surgery and from there they have been extended to other surgeries. Thoracic surgery, considered highly complex, like other surgeries with a high postoperative morbidity and mortality rate, may be one of the specialties that most benefit from the implementation of these programs. This review presents the recommendations made by different specialties involved in the perioperative care of patients who require resection of a lung tumor. Meta-analyzes, systematic reviews, randomized and non-randomized controlled studies, and retrospective studies conducted in patients undergoing this type of intervention have been taken into account in preparing the recommendations presented in this guide. The GRADE scale has been used to classify the recommendations, assessing on the one hand the level of evidence published on each specific aspect and, on the other hand, the strength of the recommendation with which the authors propose its application. The recommendations considered most important for this type of surgery are those that refer to pre-habilitation, minimization of surgical aggression, excellence in the management of perioperative pain and postoperative care aimed at providing rapid postoperative rehabilitation.

Likelihood of Lung Cancer Screening by Poor Health Status and Race and Ethnicity in US Adults, 2017 to 2020

Importance

Lung cancer screening (LCS) via low-dose chest computed tomography can prevent mortality through surgical resection of early-stage cancers, but it is unknown whether poor health is associated with screening. Though LCS may be associated with better outcomes for non-Hispanic Black individuals, it is unknown whether racial or ethnic disparities exist in LCS use.

Objective

To determine whether health status is associated with LCS and whether racial or ethnic disparities are associated with LCS independently of health status.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cross-sectional, population-based study of community-dwelling US adults used data from Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System annual surveys, 2017 to 2020. Participants were aged 55 to 79 years, with a less than 30 pack-year smoking history, and were current smokers or those who quit within 15 years. Data were analyzed from August to November 2021.

Exposures

Self-reported health status and race and ethnicity.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Self-reported LCS in the last 12 months.

Results

Of 14 550 individuals (7802 men [55.5%]; 7527 [55.0%] aged 65-79 years [percentages are weighted]), representing 3.68 million US residents, 17.0% (95% CI, 15.1%-18.9%) reported undergoing LCS. The prevalence of LCS was lower among non-Hispanic Black than non-Hispanic White individuals but not to a significant degree (12.0% [95% CI, 4.3%-19.7%] vs 17.5% [95% CI, 15.6%-19.5%]; P = .57). Health status was associated with LCS: 468 individuals in poor health vs 96 individuals in excellent health reported LCS (25.2% [95% CI, 20.6%-29.9%] vs 7.6% [95% CI, 5.0%-10.3%]; P < .001), and those with difficulty climbing stairs were more likely to report LCS than those without this functional limitation. Adjusting for sociodemographic factors, functional status, and comorbidities, self-rated health status remained associated with LCS (adjusted odds ratio, 1.19 per each 1-step decline in health; 95% CI, 1.03-1.38), and non-Hispanic Black individuals were 53% less likely to report LCS than non-Hispanic White individuals (adjusted odds ratio, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.24-0.90). Results were robust in sensitivity analyses in which health was alternatively quantified as number of comorbidities.

Conclusions and Relevance

LCS in the US is more common among those who may be less likely to benefit from screening because of poor underlying health. Furthermore, racial or ethnic disparities were evident after accounting for health status, with non-Hispanic Black individuals nearly half as likely as non-Hispanic White individuals to report LCS despite the potential for greater benefit of screening this population.