Is pneumonectomy justifiable for patients with a locoregional recurrence or persistent disease after curative intent chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer?

Salvage surgery and conversion surgery for patients with nonsmall cell lung cancer: a narrative review

Nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths. With the development of screening, patient selection, and treatment strategies, patients' survival outcomes and living quality significantly improved. However, some patients still have local recurrence or residual tumors after receiving definitive therapies. Salvage surgery has been regarded as an effective option for recurrent or residual NSCLC, but its effectiveness remains undetermined. Furthermore, conversion surgery is a special type of salvage surgery for tumors converted from 'initially unresectable' to 'potentially resectable' status due to a favorable response to systemic treatments. Although conversion surgery is a promising curative procedure for advanced NSCLC, its concept and clinical value remain unfamiliar to clinicians. In this narrative review, we provided an overview of the safety and efficacy of salvage surgery, especially salvage surgery after sublobar resection in early-stage NSCLC. More importantly, we highlighted the concept and value of conversion surgery after systemic treatment in advanced NSCLC to gain some insights into its role in the treatment of lung cancer.

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.

Salvage Surgery for Patients With Local Recurrence or Persistent Disease After Treatment With Chemoradiotherapy for SCLC

Introduction

The role of salvage surgery for patients with locoregional (LR) recurrence or persistent SCLC after radical chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for limited-stage disease is not well established. We evaluated our experience.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective study of consecutive patients who underwent salvage pulmonary resection for LR-recurrent or persistent SCLC between 2008 and 2020 at the Amsterdam University Medical Center.

Results

A total of 10 patients were identified. Median age at initial diagnosis of limited-stage SCLC was 58.5 years (48-71 y). All patients had radical-intent concurrent CRT. Of the 10 patients, 9 were diagnosed with LR-recurrent or persistent disease with a median of 18 months (3-78 y) after CRT. All patients underwent an anatomical radical resection and mediastinal lymph node dissection. No 90-day mortality was recorded. In addition, one patient developed a LR recurrence 7 months after resection. Distant progression was found in three patients at 6, 32, and 61 months after surgery, all of whom subsequently died of progressive SCLC. Median follow-up was 22.5 months (2-86 mos). Disease-free survival was 34 months; overall survival was not reached.

Conclusions

For highly selected patients with LR-recurrent or persistent SCLC after CRT, salvage surgery is feasible and can result in clinically meaningful survival. Such patients should be presented to the multidisciplinary tumor board.