Salvage thoracic surgery in patients with primary lung cancer

Therapeutic effect of induction therapy including nab-paclitaxel followed by surgical resection for the patients with locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND

Lung cancer is associated with a high mortality rate worldwide. Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a major subtype of lung cancer. Carboplatin (CBDCA) plus nab-paclitaxel (PTX) has become a standard treatment for advanced unresectable NSCLC. However, treatment with nab-PTX has not been established as a standard therapy for resectable locally advanced (LA)-NSCLC.

METHODS

We conducted a comprehensive study involving consecutive patients with locally advanced NSCLC who underwent induction therapy including nab-PTX followed by surgical resection. Fifteen patients with locally advanced NSCLC underwent induction therapy including nab-PTX followed by surgical resection. Concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CRT) consisted of weekly administration of nab-PTX (50 mg/m2) plus CBDCA (area under the plasma concentration time curve (AUC) 2) and thoracic radiotherapy (50 Gy/25 fractions).

RESULTS

The clinical stages were as follows: IIB (n =1), IIIA (n =12), and IIIC (n =2). Downstaging was observed in 73% (11/15) of patients on comparison with the clinical stage before concurrent CRT. Adverse drug reactions were observed in seven patients. Complete resection was performed in all patients. The re-evaluated pathological stage after pretreatment was diagnosed as stage 0 in three patients, stage IA1 in six, stage IA2 in one, and stage IIIA in five. The pathological effects of previous therapy were as follows: Ef3 (n =3), Ef2 (n =9), and Ef1a (n =3).

CONCLUSION

The therapeutic effect of induction therapy including nab-PTX was promising. Induction CRT, including nab-PTX, followed by resection, may be a viable alternative treatment option for locally advanced NSCLC.

Is a high preoperative HbA1c level a risk factor for postoperative complications in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer?

PURPOSE

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a common comorbidity of lung cancer. We hypothesized that severe DM is associated with increased complications after surgical resection of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODS

A review of our retrospective thoracic database identified 1139 consecutive surgical resections for NSCLC from 2002 to 2021. Our analysis included the exploration of clinicopathological features, perioperative variables, and surgical outcomes.

RESULTS

In addition to lung cancer, 170 patients (14.9%) had DM. The patients included 132 (77.6%) men and 38 (22.4%) women, with a median age of 72 (range, 51-93) years old. The median preoperative fasting blood glucose and HbA1c levels were 135 mg/dL (range, 57-303) and 6.9% (range, 5.1-14.8), respectively. Eighty-one patients had DM as a single comorbidity, and 89 patients had other comorbidities or a relevant medical history. A total of 144 patients were prescribed these drugs. There were 107 patients (62.9%) who consulted a specialist diabetes endocrinology department preoperatively and 118 patients (69.4%) who required sliding-scale insulin during the perioperative period. Forty-seven patients (27.6%) developed post-operative complications. No cases of bronchopleural fistula were noted. A univariate analysis showed that the sex (p = 0.017), body mass index (BMI) (p = 0.0032), surgical procedure (p = 0.017), surgical time (p = 0.002), and lymphatic invasion (p = 0.011) were significantly different among patients stratified by postoperative complications. A multivariate analysis showed that a low BMI (odds ratio [OR]: 0.413, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.196-0.870, p = 0.018), long surgical time (OR: 2.690, 95% CI: 1.190-6.082, p = 0.015), and presence of lymphatic invasion (OR: 2.849, 95% CI: 1.319-6.135, p = 0.007) were risk factors for postoperative complications. In contrast, severe preoperative DM did not have a significant negative effect on the incidence of postoperative complications.

CONCLUSION

In modern respiratory surgery, severe DM does not affect the short-term outcomes under strict preoperative treatment.

Extracellular vesicles in non-small cell lung cancer stemness and clinical applications

Non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) accounts for 85% of lung cancers, the leading cause of cancer associated deaths in the US and worldwide. Within NSCLC tumors, there is a subpopulation of cancer cells termed cancer stem cells (CSCs) which exhibit stem-like properties that drive NSCLC progression, metastasis, relapse, and therapeutic resistance. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membrane-bound nanoparticles secreted by cells that carry vital messages for short- and long-range intercellular communication. Numerous studies have implicated NSCLC CSC-derived EVs in the factors associated with NSCLC lethality. In this review, we have discussed mechanisms of EV-directed cross-talk between CSCs and cells of the tumor microenvironment that promote stemness, tumor progression and metastasis in NSCLC. The mechanistic studies discussed herein have provided insights for developing novel NSCLC diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers and strategies to therapeutically target the NSCLC CSC niche.

Thoracic Reirradiation with Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) for Recurrent Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)

PURPOSE

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) local control remains suboptimal with rates around 75%. Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is an option for isolated local recurrences of small-volume recurrences. This study investigates the safety and efficacy of 60 Gy in 8 fractions in large-volume local recurrences.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients treated with salvage SBRT for NSCLC lung parenchymal recurrence between July 2013 and February 2020. Reirradiation prescribed dose was 60 Gy in 8 fractions using the SBRT technique. The primary endpoint was local control at most recent follow-up or death. Secondary endpoints included overall survival, disease-free interval, cancer-specific survival, and treatment related toxicities.

RESULTS

Seven patients met inclusion criteria. Median follow up time was 38 months (18.1-72.4). Median age was 67 years (63-80). Median time to reirradiation was 18.2 months (7.3-28.6). Retreatment median ITV was 57.9 cc (15.8-344.6), and PTV median was 113.6 cc (38.3-506.9). Local control was maintained in 4 of 7 patients (57.1%). Two of the 7 patients (28.6%) remained alive. Median disease-free interval was 22.5 months (11-65). Three of 7 patients (42.9%) had grade 2 toxicities. One patient (14.3%) had a grade 3 rib/chest wall toxicity with concurrent disease recurrence invading the chest wall.

CONCLUSION

This study reports that SBRT of 60 Gy in 8 fractions was delivered safely and effectively to large volume recurrent NSCLC previously treated with radiation therapy. The disease-free interval of nearly 2 years is meaningful for patients' quality of life and duration of time off systemic therapy.

Rescue surgery in palliative indication as last therapeutic option for complicated advanced stage lung cancer

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the role of rescue surgery in complicated initially not operatively intended advanced stage lung cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Retrospective analysis of 30 patients with advanced lung cancer who underwent rescue surgery for control of life-threatening, non-conservatively manageable tumor related complications like post-obstructive pneumonia, super-infected tumor necrosis or active bleeding. Study parameters included tumor stage, histology, type of resection, and patients' characteristics as well as postoperative outcomes.

RESULTS

The study cohort consisted of 12 female and 18 male patients, among those 29 were diagnosed with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) and one with Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC). On initial tumor-diagnosis 20 patients had been classified as stage IV and 9 with stage III; 1 patient had not yet been completely staged at time of surgery for active tumor bleeding. In all patients, the indication for rescue surgery was not oncologic-therapeutic but to control non-conservatively manageable complications which either contradicted any tumor-specific systemic therapy or acutely threatened life. Types of resections included pneumonectomy, bi-lobectomy, lobectomy and segmentectomy. The mean overall survival was 13.3 (median 11.2) months, the 1-year-survival-probability of the cohort was 45,2%. The 30- and 90-day mortality was 13,3 and 30%, respectively. The reasons for early postoperative mortality were ARDS, multiorgan failure and bronchial-stump insufficiency.

CONCLUSIONS

Rescue surgery for tumor- or therapy-induced life-threatening complications in patients with advanced stage lung cancer is associated with high morbidity and mortality. However, if all other treatment options have failed it nevertheless may be indicated as the last therapeutic chance and if surgery succeeds in controlling the acute event it may also set the condition for subsequent tumor-specific therapies. Future research should focus on elaborating effective criteria regarding patient selection and timing of surgery in order to restrict these high-risk-operations to only those patients, who most likely will benefit.

The Role of Salvage Resection After Definitive Radiation Therapy for Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

BACKGROUND

This study evaluated outcomes of patients who undergo extended delay to resection after definitive radiation therapy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODS

Perioperative outcomes and 5-year overall survival of patients with NSCLC who underwent definitive radiation therapy, followed by resection, from 2004 to 2020 in the National Cancer Database were evaluated. Patients who underwent resection >180 days after the initiation of radiation therapy (including any external beam therapy at a total dose of >60 Gy) were included in the analysis. Subgroup analyses were conducted by operation type and pathologic nodal status.

RESULTS

From 2004 to 2020, 293 patients had an extended delay to resection after definitive radiation therapy. The clinical stage distribution was stage I to II in 53 patients (18.1%), stage IIIA in 111 (37.9%), stage IIIB in 106 (36.2%), stage IIIC in 13 (4.4%), and stage IV in 10 (3.4%). Median dose of radiation therapy received was 64.8 Gy (interquartile range, 60.0-66.6 Gy). Median days from radiation therapy to resection were 221.0 (interquartile range, 193.0-287.0) days. Lobectomy (64.5%) was the most common operation, followed by pneumonectomy (17.1%) and wedge resection (7.5%). For wedge resection, lobectomy, and pneumonectomy, the 30-day readmission rate was 4.8%, 4.8%, and 8.3%, the 30-day mortality rate was 0%, 3.4%, and 6.4%, and the 90-day mortality rate was 0%, 6.2%, and 12.8%, respectively. Overall survival at 5 years for patients with pN0, pN1, and pN2 disease was 38.6% (95% CI, 30.0-47.2), 43.3% (95% CI, 16.3-67.9), and 24.0% (95% CI, 9.8-41.7), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

In this national analysis, extended delay to resection after definitive radiation therapy was associated with acceptable perioperative outcomes among a highly selected patient cohort.

SETD4 Confers Cancer Stem Cell Chemoresistance in Nonsmall Cell Lung Cancer Patients via the Epigenetic Regulation of Cellular Quiescence

Increasing evidence indicates that quiescent cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a root cause of chemoresistance. SET domain-containing protein 4 (SETD4) epigenetically regulates cell quiescence in breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs), and SETD4-positive BCSCs are chemoradioresistant. However, the role of SETD4 in chemoresistance, tumor progression, and prognosis in nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients is unclear. Here, SETD4-positive cells were identified as quiescent lung cancer stem cells (qLCSCs) since they expressed high levels of ALDH1 and CD133 and low levels of Ki67. SETD4 expression was significantly higher in advanced-stage NSCLC tissues than in early-stage NSCLC tissues and significantly higher in samples from the chemoresistant group than in those from the chemosensitive group. Patients with high SETD4 expression had shorter progression-free survival (PFS) times than those with low SETD4 expression. SETD4 facilitated heterochromatin formation via H4K20me3, thereby leading to cell quiescence. RNA-seq analysis showed upregulation of genes involved in cell proliferation, glucose metabolism, and PI3K-AKT signaling in activated qLCSCs (A-qLCSCs) compared with qLCSCs. In addition, SETD4 overexpression facilitated PTEN-mediated inhibition of the PI3K-mTOR pathway. In summary, SETD4 confers chemoresistance, tumor progression, and a poor prognosis by regulating CSCs in NSCLC patients.

Salvage Surgery for Small-Cell Lung Cancer-A Literature Review

(1) Background: Salvation surgery for small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) is exceptionally performed, and only a few cases are published. (2) Methods: There are 6 publications that present 17 cases of salvation surgery for SCLC-the salvation surgery was performed in the context of modern clearly established protocols for SCLC and after including SCLC in the TNM (tumor, node, metastasis) staging in 2010. (3) Results: After a median follow-up of 29 months, the estimated overall survival (OS) was 86 months. The median estimated 2-year survival was 92%, and the median estimated 5-year survival was 66%. (4) Conclusion: Salvage surgery for SCLC is a relatively new and extremely uncommon concept and represents an alternative to second-line chemotherapy. It is valuable because it may offer a reasonable treatment for selected patients, good local control, and a favorable survival outcome.

Results of emergency salvage lung resection after chemo- and/or radiotherapy among patients with lung cancer

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to elucidate the outcomes of emergency salvage surgery following life-threatening events (serious haemorrhage and/or infections) among patients with lung cancer who had undergone chemo- and/or radiotherapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We analysed the data of patient from 2015 to 2020, retrospectively. The clinical characteristics, including preoperative treatment, perioperative outcomes and survival time, were analysed.

RESULTS

Of the 862 patients who underwent primary lung cancer surgeries, 10 (1.2%) underwent emergency surgeries. The preoperative clinical characteristics were: median age, 63.7 years [interquartile range (IQR) 55-70.5]; sex (male/female), 9/1; clinical staging before initial treatment (I/II/III/IV), 1/1/3/5; initial treatment (chemoradiotherapy/chemotherapy/proton beam therapy), 5/4/1; and indications for emergency surgery (lung abscess/lung abscess with haemoptysis/haemoptysis/empyema), 5/3/1/1. The selected procedures and results were as follows: lobectomy/bilobectomy/pneumonectomy, 8/1/1 (all open thoracotomies); median operation time, 191.0 min (IQR 151-279); median blood loss, 1071.5 ml (IQR 540-1691.5); postoperative severe complications, 3 (30%); hospital mortality, none; median postoperative hospital stay, 37 days (12-125); control of infection and/or haemoptysis, all the cases; final outcome (alive/dead), 3/7 (all the cancer deaths); median postoperative survival, 9.4 months (IQR 4.3-20.4); and median survival from initial treatment, 19.4 months (IQR 8.0-66.9).

CONCLUSIONS

Emergency salvage lung resection is a technically challenging procedure; however, the results were feasible and acceptable when the surgical indication, procedure and optimal timing were considered carefully by a multidisciplinary team. Although the aim was palliation, some patients who received additional chemotherapy afterwards and, thus, had additional survival time.

Primary pneumonectomy, pneumonectomy after induction therapy, and salvage pneumonectomy: a comparison of surgical and prognostic outcomes

Background

Surgical outcomes of pneumonectomy for lung cancer differ based on various therapeutic strategies.

Methods

One hundred and fifty-one patients who underwent pneumonectomy were divided into three groups based on patients' therapeutic conditions: a primary pneumonectomy group (no preoperative treatment, n=137), an induction group (planned surgery after induction chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy, n=10), and a salvage group (surgery for residual or enlarged lesions after radical non-operative therapies, n=4).

Results

Multivariate analysis showed that completeness of resection (P=0.003), subcategorization of whether there was no invasion, infiltration only to the main bronchus or pleura, or invasion of other deeper structures (P=0.008), and the presence or absence of mediastinal lymph node metastasis (P=0.033) were significant prognostic factors. Severe postoperative complications occurred in 5.1% (7/137), 20% (2/10), and 0% (0/4) in the primary pneumonectomy, induction, and salvage groups, respectively. Among patients with pN0-1 disease, the 3-year overall survival rate was 58.7% in the primary pneumonectomy group, 100% and 40% in cases with high and low pathological effects in the induction group, respectively, and 50% in the salvage group. Among patients with pN2 disease, this rate was 41.4% in the primary pneumonectomy group, and no patients survived for postoperative 2 years in the other groups.

Conclusions

For patients undergoing pneumonectomy, subcategorization based on the invasion status (none/bronchus/pleura or other deeper structures) is a crucial prognostic factor. To consider pneumonectomy in the induction or salvage setting, selecting patients with pN0-1 disease may be mandatory.

Salvage surgery after chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy including SBRT and proton therapy: A consecutive analysis of 38 patients

BACKGROUND

Local recurrence after definitive chemoradiation therapy, chemotherapy or radiotherapy with curative intent is often seen in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer. We evaluated the feasibility of salvage pulmonary resection after definitive non-surgical treatments and the postoperative morbidity and mortality rates.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the characteristics and medical courses of patients who had undergone salvage pulmonary resections after local relapse or progression between January 2000 and March 2018 at the National Cancer Centre Hospital, Tokyo, Japan. All the candidates were evaluated, and curability by surgical resection was assessed by a multidisciplinary tumor board.

RESULTS

A total of 38 patient received salvage surgery: 26 of the patients were men, and the median age was 64.5 years (range, 20-78 years). Among these 38 patients, salvage lung resection was performed after chemoradiotherapy in 23 patients, after chemotherapy in 9 patients, and after radiotherapy with curative intent in 6 patients. The surgical resection methods were as follows: 26 lobectomies (2 bilobectomy, 15 right upper, 5 right lower, 1 right middle, 2 left lower and 1 left upper), 8 pneumonectomies (5 left and 3 right), and 4 segmentectomies. A complete resection (R0 resection) was achieved in 35 cases (92.1 %). Postoperative complications were observed in 3 patients (prolonged air leakage, bronchopleural fistula and surgical site infection in 1 patient each). No postoperative deaths occurred within 30 days after surgery.

CONCLUSION

Along with better outcomes after definitive chemoradiotherapy, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, the frequency of salvage surgery has been increasing in recent years. Salvage pulmonary resections after definitive non-surgical treatments with curative intent are feasible with an acceptable morbidity rate and oncological outcomes in thoroughly assessed patients.

Surgery to avoid fatal complications and secure radicality after definitive chemoradiotherapy for clinical T4N2M0 stage IIIB non-small cell lung cancer: a case report

Background

Chemoradiotherapy (CRT) is the standard treatment for c-stage IIIB non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC); however, patients who respond to CRT are at risk of developing fatal complications such as massive hemoptysis or infection. In such cases, surgery is an alternative option. Currently, there are limited reports on surgery for complications arising during definitive CRT for locally advanced NSCLC. We report a case of hemoptysis after definitive CRT for c-T4N2M0 stage IIIB NSCLC that was successfully treated with lower bilobectomy combined with left atrial resection.

Case presentation

A 72-year-old man with c-T4N2M0 stage IIIB NSCLC with left atrial invasion developed hemoptysis during CRT, which was discontinued to control hemoptysis. Chest computed tomography revealed a regressed and cavitated tumor. Three weeks after discontinuation of CRT, surgery was performed to avoid fatal complications and secure radicality. We performed lower bilobectomy combined with partial left atrial resection, which was performed using an automatic tri-stapler. The bronchial stump was covered with an omental flap. The resected specimen pathologically showed complete response with fistula between the intermediate bronchus and necrotic cavity in the tumor. His postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient was disease free at 10 months after surgery.

Conclusions

We successfully performed surgery after definitive CRT in a patient with c-T4N2M0 stage IIIB NSCLC. Partial left atrial resection was safely performed with an automatic tri-stapler. A complete pathological response to CRT was achieved. In a case with a chance of complete (R0) resection, when the risk of developing fatal complications might outweigh the risk of post-CRT surgery perioperative complications, surgery should be considered as a treatment option.

Salvage Surgery After Chemotherapy or Chemoradiotherapy for Initially Unresectable Lung Carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Salvage surgery is used for resection of locoregionally recurrent or regrowing lesions after treatment for unresectable non-small cell lung cancer. It is also used to resect lesions that have regressed after treatment and that had not initially been indicated for resection. Relationships between salvage surgery, safety, and prognosis, however, have remained unclear.

METHODS

Between 2006 and 2017, 29 patients received salvage resection (median age, 60 years; 25 men and 4 women). Safety and prognosis were analyzed.

RESULTS

Tumor grade at the time of initial treatment was stage III or IV in 23 and 6 patients, respectively. Twenty-two patients received chemoradiotherapy (radiation, 40-66 Gy) and 7 received chemotherapy. Time from initial treatment to surgery ranged from 2 to 60 months. Segmentectomy, lobectomy, bilobectomy and pneumonectomy were performed in 1, 25, 2, and 1 patients, respectively. Combined resections were needed in 17 patients; this included 10 bronchoplasties, 9 pulmonary arterioplasties, 4 chest wall resections, and 1 great vessel resection. There was no 30-day postoperative mortality. Grade 3 or higher-grade postoperative complications (mostly cardiopulmonary) were observed in 11 patients. Five-year overall survival after initial treatment was 61%; after surgery it was 51%. Five-year relapse-free survival after surgery was 49%. On recurrent-free survival patients with clinical stage III at the initial treatment, pathologic stage 0-II, or a good response to initial treatment showed a favorable prognosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Although cardiopulmonary complications can accompany salvage surgery, the procedure is generally safe. Survival outcome is encouraging, especially in cases with good response to initial treatment.

Salvage surgery after definitive chemo-radiotherapy for patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

INTRODUCTION

Despite all treatment advances, lung cancer is still the main cause of death worldwide. Treatment for resectable stage IIIA remains controversial including definitive chemoradiotherapy and induction treatment followed by surgery. After definitive chemoradiation up to 35% of patients will relapse locally. Experience with salvage resection after definitive chemoradiotherapy in lung cancer is limited. We present our experience in 27 patients who underwent surgical resection after definitive treatment.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between January 2007 and December 2016, 27 patients were evaluated in our department for surgical resection after receiving definitive chemoradiation treatment in different institutions. We conducted a retrospective study gathering the following data: age, gender, clinical and pathologic stage, histology, chemotherapy treatment regimen, radiotherapy dosage, surgical procedure and complications. Time between surgical resection and last follow-up was used to calculate Overall Survival (OS). Disease-Free Survival (DFS) was calculated from surgical resection to diagnosis of relapse.

RESULTS

Most of the patients were men with a median age of 56.09 years. Median follow-up time was 46.94 months. All patients received platinum-based chemotherapy regimen and high-dose radiotherapy, except for one patient who received 45 Gy. Lobectomy and bilobectomy was performed in 7 patients each, and pneumonectomy in 13. Complications appeared in 5 patients. Bronchopleural fistula appeared in two patients, and only one death in the early postoperative period. The analysis showed an OS of 75.56 months, with 1-year, 3-year and 5-year survival of 74.1%, 57.8% and 53.3% respectively.

CONCLUSION

Salvage surgery in selected patients is technically feasible, with low morbidity and mortality rates and good long-term outcomes.

Salvage thoracic surgery in patients with lung cancer: potential indications and benefits

Background

To investigate the feasibility and efficacy of salvage lung resection and describe the possible indications and contraindications in patients with primary lung cancer.

Methods

Thirty patients undergoing anatomical salvage lung resection were classified into three groups: GI, patients with progressive lung tumor despite definitive chemo- and/or radiotherapy; GII, patients who underwent emergency resection; and GIII, patients in whom neoadjuvant or definitive chemo- and/or radiotherapy was contraindicated because of severe comorbidities. The groups were compared based on, peri- and postoperative factors, and survival rates.

Results

The morbidity rate was 70%. Revision surgery was required in 23% of patients. Morbidity was affected by lower hematocrit and hemoglobin levels (P = 0.05). Mean hospital stay was 11 ± 4 days, which was longer in patients in whom complications developed (P = 0.0003). The in-hospital or 30-day mortality rate was 3%. Mean relapse-free survival and overall survivals were 14 ± 12 and 19 ± 13 months.

Conclusion

Patients with progression of the persistent primary tumor after definitive chemo- and/or radiotherapy can undergo salvage lung resection with acceptable mortality and high morbidity rates, if the tumor is considered resectable. Other indications may be considered for salvage lung resection based on each patient’s specific evaluation.

Current Topics on Salvage Thoracic Surgery in Patients with Primary Lung Cancer

Salvage primary tumor resection is sometimes considered for isolated local failures after definitive chemoradiation, urgent matters, such as hemoptysis (palliative intent), and in cases judged to be contraindicated for chemotherapy or definite radiation due to severe comorbidities, despite an initial clinical diagnosis of stage III or IV disease. However, salvage surgery is generally considered to be technically more difficult, with a potentially higher morbidity. This review discusses the current topics on salvage thoracic surgery such as the definition of salvage surgery and its outcome, and future perspectives.

Should salvage surgery be considered for local recurrence after definitive chemoradiation in locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer?

Background

Incidence of local relapse after definitive chemoradiation (>59 Gy) for locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is high, irrespective of high dose radiation applied. Experience with salvage lung resections in patients with locally relapsed NSCLC after definitive chemoradiation is limited. We present our series of salvage lung resections for local NSCLC relapse after curative–intent chemoradiation for locally advanced tumor.

Methods

Nine consecutive patients with local tumor recurrence or persistence following definitive chemoradiation were reviewed. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to assess patient survival.

Results

All patients received definitive radiation (median dose 66.2 Gy) with concurrent chemotherapy. Tumor stage prior to chemoradiation was IIIA in 8 patients and IV in 1. In 4 patients tumor invaded the chest wall, in 2 the spine and in 1 the aorta. Median interval between chemoradiation and salvage resection was 30.2 weeks. Nine patients underwent 9 resections (6 lobectomies, 1 bilobectomy, 1 pneumonectomy and 1 bi-segmentectomy). One death occurred on the 12th postoperative day. Median overall survival was 23 months; postoperative 3-year survival was 47 %. Median progression-free survival was 21 months.

Conclusion

Salvage lung resection for locally recurrent or persisted NSCLC in selected patients with locally advanced NSCLC following definitive chemoradiation is a worthwhile treatment option.

Is salvage surgery for recurrent non-small-cell lung cancer after definitive non-operative therapy associated with reasonable survival?

A best evidence topic in thoracic surgery was written according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was whether salvage pulmonary resection is possible and worthwhile for patients with recurrence of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) after prior definitive non-operative therapy. A total of nine reports were identified using the reported search, of which four represented the best available evidence to answer the clinical question. The authors, journal, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes and results of these papers are tabulated. All studies were retrospective. In total, 48 pulmonary salvage resections were performed in 47 patients after prior definitive radiation, chemoradiation or stereotactic body radiation therapy, of which 28 were lobectomies (including 1 sleeve lobectomy), 12 pneumonectomies, 4 bilobectomies and 4 sublobar resections (2 segmentectomies and 2 wedge resections). Postoperative complications ranged from 0 to 58% (mean from four studies 42.5%). Only one study reported any mortality (4%), the other three had zero mortality. Median postoperative survival was reported in two studies and ranged from 9 to 30 months. Experience with salvage lung resection for locally recurrent NSCLC, after prior definitive non-surgical treatment, remains limited. Therefore, this analysis was based on only 48 resections in 47 patients from four retrospective studies. Nevertheless, the published data suggest that salvage lung surgery for recurrent, previously non-operatively managed non-small-cell lung cancer is a worthwhile treatment option with good survival, acceptable morbidity and low mortality.