Stage I-II non-small-cell lung cancer treated using either stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) or lobectomy by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS): outcomes of a propensity score-matched analysis

Wedge Resection versus Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Tumors ≤8 mm

The objective of this study was to evaluate the overall survival of patients with ≤8 mm non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who undergo wedge resection versus stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT). Kaplan-Meier analysis, multivariable Cox proportional hazards modeling, and propensity score-matched analysis were performed to evaluate the overall survival of patients with ≤8 mm NSCLC in the National Cancer Database (NCDB) from 2004 to 2017 who underwent wedge resection versus patients who underwent SBRT. The above-mentioned matched analyses were repeated for patients with no comorbidities. Patients who were coded in the NCDB as having undergone radiation because surgery was contraindicated due to patient risk factors (e.g., comorbid conditions, advance age, etc.) and those with a history of prior malignancy were excluded from analysis. Of the 1505 patients who had NSCLC ≤8 mm during the study period, 1339 (89%) patients underwent wedge resection, and 166 (11%) patients underwent SBRT. In the unadjusted analysis, multivariable Cox modeling and propensity score-matched analysis, wedge resection was associated with improved survival when compared to SBRT. These results were consistent in a sensitivity analysis limited to patients with no comorbidities.

Prospective Cohort Study to Compare Long-Term Lung Cancer-Specific and All-Cause Survival of Clinical Early Stage (T1a-b; ≤20 mm) NSCLC Treated by Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy and Surgery

INTRODUCTION

We aimed to compare outcomes of patients with first primary clinical T1a-bN0M0 NSCLC treated with surgery or stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT).

METHODS

We identified patients with first primary clinical T1a-bN0M0 NSCLCs on last pretreatment computed tomography treated by surgery or SBRT in the following two prospective cohorts: International Early Lung Cancer Action Program (I-ELCAP) and Initiative for Early Lung Cancer Research on Treatment (IELCART). Lung cancer-specific survival and all-cause survival after diagnosis were compared using Kaplan-Meier analysis. Propensity score matching was used to balance baseline demographics and comorbidities and analyzed using Cox proportional hazards regression.

RESULTS

Of 1115 patients with NSCLC, 1003 had surgery and 112 had SBRT; 525 in I-ELCAP in 1992 to 2021 and 590 in IELCART in 2016 to 2021. Median follow-up was 57.6 months. Ten-year lung cancer-specific survival was not significantly different: 90% (95% confidence interval: 87%-92%) for surgery versus 88% (95% confidence interval: 77%-99%) for SBRT, p = 0.55. Cox regression revealed no significant difference in lung cancer-specific survival for the combined cohorts (p = 0.48) or separately for I-ELCAP (p = 1.00) and IELCART (p = 1.00). Although 10-year all-cause survival was significantly different (75% versus 45%, p < 0.0001), after propensity score matching, all-cause survival using Cox regression was no longer different for the combined cohorts (p = 0.74) or separately for I-ELCAP (p = 1.00) and IELCART (p = 0.62).

CONCLUSIONS

This first prospectively collected cohort analysis of long-term survival of small, early NSCLCs revealed that lung cancer-specific survival was high for both treatments and not significantly different (p = 0.48) and that all-cause survival after propensity matching was not significantly different (p = 0.74). This supports SBRT as an alternative treatment option for small, early NSCLCs which is especially important with their increasing frequency owing to low-dose computed tomography screening. Furthermore, treatment decisions are influenced by many different factors and should be personalized on the basis of the unique circumstances of each patient.

Stereotactic body radiotherapy in lung cancer: a contemporary review

The treatment of early stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has improved enormously in the last two decades. Although surgery is not the only choice, lobectomy is still the gold standard treatment type for operable patients. For inoperable patients stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) should be offered, reaching very high local control and overall survival rates. With SBRT we can precisely irradiate small, well-defined lesions with high doses. To select the appropriate fractionation schedule it is important to determine the size, localization and extent of the lung tumor. The introduction of novel and further developed planning (contouring guidelines, diagnostic image application, planning systems) and delivery techniques (motion management, image guided radiotherapy) led to lower rates of side effects and more conformal target volume coverage. The purpose of this study is to summarize the current developments, randomised studies, guidelines about lung SBRT, with emphasis on the possibility of increasing local control and overall rates in "fit," operable patients as well, so SBRT would be eligible in place of surgery.

Lobectomy versus proton therapy for stage I non-small cell lung cancer

OBJECTIVE

Lobectomy is the standard treatment for patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In recent years, an increasing number of patients with lung cancer have been treated using proton therapy (PT). We conducted a propensity score-matched analysis to compare the treatment outcomes of these 2 modalities.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed data from 275 patients with histologically confirmed clinical stage I NSCLC who underwent lobectomy (n = 206) or PT (n = 69) at our institution from July 2013 to December 2020. The end points were overall survival (OS), cause-specific survival, recurrence-free survival (RFS), local control, regional lymph node control, and distant control. Propensity score matching was performed to reduce selection bias in the 2 groups.

RESULTS

The matched cohort consisted of 59 patients who underwent lobectomy and 59 patients who underwent PT with a median follow-up period of 50 months. There were no significant differences in OS (P = .26), cause-specific survival (P = .33), RFS (P = .53), local control (P = .41), regional lymph node control (P = .98), and distant control (P = .31). In the lobectomy and PT groups, the 5-year OS rate was 85.8% and 79.1%, respectively, the RFS rate was 82.3% and 77.8%, and the local control rate was 92.1% and 96.6%.

CONCLUSIONS

We found no difference in survival or disease control between lobectomy and PT in patients with histologically confirmed clinical stage I NSCLC. Despite these findings, the potential for unmeasured confounding factors remains, and randomized control trials are needed to better compare these treatment modalities.

A qualitative stakeholder analysis of beliefs, facilitators, and barriers for a feasible prehabilitation program before lung cancer surgery

BACKGROUND

In order to develop a feasible prehabilitation program before surgery of NSCLC, this study aimed to gain insight into beliefs, facilitators, and barriers of (1) healthcare professionals to refer patients to a prehabilitation program, (2) patients to participate in and adhere to a prehabilitation program, and (3) informal caregivers to support their loved ones.

METHODS

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with healthcare professionals, patients who underwent surgery for NSCLC, and their informal caregivers. The capability, opportunity, and motivation for behavior-model (COM-B) guided the development of the interview questions. Results were analyzed thematically.

RESULTS

The interviews were conducted with twelve healthcare professionals, seventeen patients, and sixteen informal caregivers. Four main themes were identified: (1) content of prehabilitation and referral, (2) organizational factors, (3) personal factors for participation, and (4) environmental factors. Healthcare professionals mentioned that multiple professionals should facilitate the referral of patients to prehabilitation within primary and secondary healthcare involved in prehabilitation, considering the short preoperative period. Patients did not know that a better preoperative physical fitness and nutritional status would make a difference in the risk of postoperative complications. Patients indicated that they want to receive information about the aim and possibilities of prehabilitation. Most patients preferred a group-based physical exercise training program organized in their living context in primary care. Informal caregivers could support their loved one when prehabilitation takes place by doing exercises together.

CONCLUSION

A prehabilitation program should be started as soon as possible after the diagnosis of lung cancer. Receiving information about the purpose and effects of prehabilitation in a consult with a physician seems crucial to patients and informal caregivers to be involved in prehabilitation. Support of loved ones in the patient's own living context is essential for adherence to a prehabilitation program.

An optimal dose-fractionation for stereotactic body radiotherapy in peripherally, centrally and ultracentrally located early-stage non-small lung cancer

Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT), also known as stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR), is commonly used in inoperable patients with early-stage non-small lung cancer (NSCLC). This treatment has good outcomes and low toxicity in peripherally located tumors. However, in lesions which are located close to structures such as the bronchial tree or mediastinum the risk of severe toxicity increases. This review summarizes the evidence of dose-fractionation in SBRT of NSCLC patients in various locations.

Prognostic implication of PD-L1 in early-stage non-small cell lung cancer: a retrospective single-centre study

BACKGROUND

The prognostic role of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression in patients with localised and locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer has not been fully elucidated. This information could help to better interpret recent and upcoming results of phase III adjuvant or neoadjuvant anti-PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapy studies.

METHODS

In a cohort of 146 patients with early or locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer treated with curative intent (by surgery or radiotherapy), we investigated the prognostic value of PD-L1 expression and its correlation with other biological and clinical features. PD-L1 expression was stratified by quartiles. Primary endpoints were overall and disease-free survival. We also analysed the prognostic impact of the presence of actionable mutations, implemented treatment modality and completion of the treatment plan. Neither type of patient received neoadjuvant or adjuvant immunotherapy or target therapy.

RESULTS

Of the 146 selected patients, 32 (21.9%) presented disease progression and 15 died (10.3%) at a median follow-up of 20 months. In a univariable analysis, PD-L1 expression ≥25% was associated with significantly lower disease-free survival (hazard ratio [HR]) 1.9, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.0-3.9, p = 0.049). PD-L1 expression ≥50% did not lead to disease-free survival or overall survival benefits (HR 1.2 and 1.1, respectively; 95% CI 0.6-2.6 and 0.3-3.4, respectively; pnot significant). In a multivariate analysis, a stage >I (HR 2.7, 95% CI 1.2-6, p = 0.012) and having an inoperable tumour (HR 3.2, 95% CI 1.4-7.4, p = 0.005) were associated with lower disease-free survival.

CONCLUSION

The population of patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer and PD-L1 expression ≥25% who were treated with curative intent during the pre-immunotherapy era exhibited a worse prognosis. This finding provides justification for the utilisation of adjuvant immunotherapy in this subgroup of patients, based on the current evidence derived from disease-free survival outcomes. However, for patients with PD-L1 expression <25%, opting to wait for the availability of the overall survival results may be a prudent choice.

Stereotactic radiotherapy for ultracentral lung tumours

Ultracentral (UC) lung lesions are generally defined by the presence of the tumour or the Planning Target Volume (PTV) abutting proximal bronchial tree (PBT) or the esophagus. Initial reports rose awareness regarding the potential toxicity of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) when delivered to UC lesions. Major concerns include necrosis, stenosis, and bleeding of the PBT. Technological improvements now enable the delivery of more accurate treatments, possibly redefining the historical "no-fly zone". In this review, studies focusing on the treatment of UC lesions with SBRT are presented. The narrow therapeutic window requires a multidisciplinary approach.

[Stereotactic radiotherapy for operable stage I non-small cell lung cancer]

Standard treatment stage of non-small cell lung cancer is currently surgery. For inoperable patients, stereotactic body radiotherapy is the reference treatment. This non-invasive technique has developed considerably and its excellent results in terms of carcinological control and tolerance raise the question of its indication for operable patients, especially for old patients and/or with comorbidities. This article reviews the available data in the literature of the place of stereotactic body radiotherapy for medically operable patients with stage I non-small cell lung cancer.

Retrospective comparison between definitive stereotactic body radiotherapy and radical surgery for 538 patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer in a single institution

Introduction

Survival information for stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) and surgery for stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) was examined.

Methods

Stage I NSCLC patients who underwent surgery or SBRT between 2012 and 2016 were retrospectively enrolled in this single-institution study. Using the Kaplan--Meier method and Cox regression model, overall survival (OS) was estimated and compared.

Results

Among 538 enrolled patients, compared to the surgery group (443), the SBRT group (95) had more complications (P = 0.01), worse performance status (P = 0.001), and were older (P < 0.001). Three-year OS was 70.5% post SBRT and 90.1% postsurgery. The 3-year cancer-specific survival (CSS) and disease-free survival (DFS) post SBRT and postsurgery were 92.7% vs. 92.3% and 61.1% vs 79.3%, respectively. Three-year locoregional and distant control rates post SBRT and postsurgery were 85.6% vs. 90.1% and 82.5% vs. 86.4%, respectively. Multivariate analysis using the Cox model, including age, T-stage, CCI, and C/T ratio and treatment, showed the surgery group's OS to be significantly superior to that of the SBRT group (HR of SBRT per surgery: 1.90, 95%CI: 1.12-3.21, P = 0.017). No significant differences were observed in rates of adverse events.

Conclusion

Although OS was better in the surgery group, no differences in CSS existed. This analysis suggests the need for future studies that compare specific radical surgeries and SBRT in a prospective and randomized setting.

Surgical resection versus radiotherapy for clinical stage IA lung cancer ≤1 cm in size: A population-based study

OBJECTIVE

With the increasing incidence of stage IA lung cancer ≤1 cm in size, the optimal primary treatment remains to be controversial, and thus, we compared the survival of these patients treated with radiotherapy, wedge resection, segmentectomy, or lobectomy in a large population.

METHODS

We identified patients with stage IA lung cancer ≤1 cm in size between 2004 and 2015 in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. We compared the overall survival (OS) via Kaplan-Meier analysis and conducted Cox regression analysis via propensity score matching (PSM) method to identify the relative hazard ratio (HR) and difference of OS among these treatments in the subgroup stratified by four variables (age, total number of tumors, pathological grade, and histology).

RESULTS

A total of 5435 patients were included with a median age of 68 years (range, 6-94 years), of which 2131 (39.2%) were male, and 3510 (64.6%) were adenocarcinoma. The 5-year OS rate was 67.1%, 34.5%, 61.6%, 72.1%, and 75.0% for the entire study population, radiotherapy, wedge resection, segmentectomy, and lobectomy, respectively. In PSM analysis, wedge resection and segmentectomy were all superior to radiotherapy (P < 0.001), and segmentectomy was superior to wedge resection (P = 0.043), while segmentectomy was comparable with lobectomy (P = 0.058). In patients with multiple tumors, radiotherapy brought similar survival to surgery (wedge resection versus radiotherapy, P = 0.323; segmentectomy versus radiotherapy, P = 0.170; lobectomy versus radiotherapy, P = 0.796).

CONCLUSIONS

Among stage IA lung cancer with ≤1 cm, segmentectomy and lobectomy were identified as the potential effective treatments, with segmentectomy more preferred, while radiotherapy would be recommended in those with multiple tumors, which requires further verification.

Association of Pretreatment Physical and Geriatric Parameters with Treatment Tolerance and Survival in Elderly Patients with Stage I-II Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: An Evaluation of Usual Care Data

In this study, the association of pretreatment physical and geriatric parameters with treatment tolerance and survival in elderly patients with stage I−II NSCLC was evaluated. Retrospective data for patients aged ≥70 years, diagnosed between 2016 and 2020 with stage I−II NSCLC, and who underwent surgery or stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) in a large Dutch teaching hospital were retrieved from medical records. Associations of pretreatment physical and geriatric parameters with treatment tolerance and survival were analyzed. Of 160 patients, 49 of 104 (47%) patients who underwent surgery and 21 of 56 (38%) patients who received SABR did not tolerate treatment. In univariable analysis, World Health Organization (WHO) performance status ≥ 2, short nutritional assessment questionnaire score > 1, short physical performance battery score ≤ 9, and geriatric-8 score ≤ 14 were significantly associated with postoperative complications. Forced expiratory volume of one second < 80% of predicted was significantly associated with intolerance of SABR. In multivariable analysis, WHO performance status ≥ 2 and diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide < 80% were significantly associated with decreased overall survival. This is the first study that investigated the association between pretreatment physical and geriatric parameters and treatment outcomes in patients with stage I−II NSCLC. Evaluation of physical and geriatric parameters before treatment initiation seems highly recommended to select patients who might benefit from preventive interventions before and/or during treatment.

Research landscape and trends of lung cancer radiotherapy: A bibliometric analysis

Background

radiotherapy is one of the major treatments for lung cancer and has been a hot research area for years. This bibliometric analysis aims to present the research trends on lung cancer radiotherapy.

Method

On August 31, 2022, the authors identified 9868 articles on lung cancer radiotherapy by the Web of Science (Science Citation Indexing Expanded database) and extracted their general information and the total number of citations. A bibliometric analysis was carried out to present the research landscape, demonstrate the research trends, and determine the most cited papers (top-papers) as well as top-journals on lung cancer radiotherapy. After that, the authors analyzed the recent research hotspots based on the latest publications in top-journals.

Results

These 9868 papers were cited a total of 268,068 times. “Durvalumab after chemoradiotherapy in stage III non–small-cell lung cancer” published in 2017 by Antonia et al.was the most cited article (2110 citations). Among the journals, New England Journal of Medicine was most influential. Moreover, J. Clin. Oncol. and Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys. was both influential and productive. Corresponding authors represented the USA (2610 articles) and China mainland (2060 articles) took part in most publications and articles with corresponding authors from Netherlands were most cited (46.12 citations per paper). Chemoradiotherapy was the hottest research area, and stereotactic body radiotherapy has become a research hotspot since 2006. Radiotherapy plus immunotherapy has been highly focused since 2019.

Conclusions

This bibliometric analysis comprehensively and quantitatively presents the research trends and hotspots based on 9868 relevant articles, and further suggests future research directions. The researchers can benefit in selecting journals and in finding potential collaborators. This study can help researchers gain a comprehensive picture of the research landscape, historical development, and recent hotspots in lung cancer radiotherapy and can provide inspiration for future research.

Real-World Evidence of Health Outcomes Related to Lung Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy in Brazil

PURPOSE

Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is an effective option for patients with both early-stage and oligometastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, data from Latin America are limited. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the real-world outcomes of applying SBRT for lung lesions in a Brazilian institution.

METHODS

This study investigated a consecutive cohort of patients treated with SBRT for lung lesions (primary and metastasis). The study primary outcome was local control rates per lesion. Secondary outcomes included progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and toxicity.

RESULTS

Between 2015 and 2019, a total of 216 patients received SBRT and were included in the study. The median follow-up was 24.5 months (5-70), primary NSCLC corresponded to 70% (n = 151) and nonprimary lung lesions to 30% (n = 65), respectively. Stage I NSCLC represented 56% (85 of 151) of the NSCLC cohort. The average number of fractions and total dose prescribed was 5 (3-10)/59 Gy (50-62 Gy). For stage I NSCLC (all lesions treated with a biologically effective dose [10] > 100 Gy), 2-year local control, OS, and PFS were 93.4%, 81.6%, and 80.7%, respectively. For stage IV lesions, if biologically effective dose (10) > 100 Gy or < 100 Gy, 2-year local control was 95.8/86.4% (P = .03), 2-year-OS was 81.6/60.5% (P = .006), and 2-year PFS was 38.9/17.9% (P = .10). Late toxicity was observed in 16.2% (n = 35) of the total cases.

CONCLUSION

Our results indicate that SBRT is effective (high local control and acceptable toxicity) for treating malignant lung lesions in a real-world scenario in Latin America.

Cardio-ankle vascular index is more closely associated than brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity with arterial damage and risk of cardiovascular disease in patients with diabetes

Background

This study aimed to compare the usefulness of arterial stiffness parameters, cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), for evaluating arterial damage and risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in subjects with diabetes.

Methods

The study subjects were 277 patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. All subjects were evaluated for vascular stiffness using CAVI (n = 154) or baPWV (n = 123). Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and the Suita score were also measured because these are established risk factors for future CVD. Associations of both CAVI and baPWV with these established parameters were evaluated in all subjects, and then in 174 subjects with adjustment for covariates by using propensity score matching.

Results

In all subjects, CAVI and baPWV correlated significantly with both IMT (r = 0.462, P < 0.001, and r = 0.212, P = 0.019, respectively) and the Suita score (r = 0.573, P < 0.001, and r = 0.373, P < 0.001, respectively). The correlation between CAVI and IMT was more significant than that between baPWV and IMT (Z = 2.33, P = 0.020). Similarly, the correlation between CAVI and the Suita score was more significant than that between baPWV and the Suita score (Z = 2.13, P = 0.033). After adjustment by propensity score matching, significant correlations between CAVI and IMT (r = 0.432 P < 0.001) and between CAVI and the Suita score (r = 0.544, P < 0.001) were preserved, though only the association between baPWV and the Suita score was significant (r = 0.289, P = 0.007) while that between baPWV and IMT showed no significance. Again, CAVI showed a significant association with the Suita score than baPWV (Z = 2.02, P = 0.043).

Conclusions

CAVI is more closely associated than baPWV with arterial damage and risk of CVD in patients with diabetes.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12872-022-02800-9.

Overall survival and prognostic factors in Stage I lung adenocarcinoma treated with curative intent: A real-life 19-year cohort study

OBJECTIVES

Important differences in Stage I non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are related to the delay in the diagnosis to the treatment, hospitals' specialised status, comorbidities, tumour stage and histological type.

METHODS

A 19-year retrospective cohort study was conducted, including 681 patients with NSCLC in clinical-stage IA-IB. The variables analysed were gender, age, schooling, type of health care provider, type of treatment, period of 5-year treatment, the time between first attendance to diagnosis and the time between diagnosis and treatment, and hospital's specialised status.

RESULTS

Patients who underwent radiotherapy alone had three times more risk of death than those who underwent surgery alone (adjusted hazard ratio [adjHR] = 3.44; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.45-4.82; p <0.001). The independent risk of death factors was being treated in nonhigh complexity centres in oncology hospitals and having started the treatment more than 2 months after diagnosis (adjHR = 1.80; 95% CI: 1.26-2.56; p <0.001) and (adjHR = 2.00; 95% CI: 1.33-3.00; p <0.001), respectively. In addition, the patients diagnosed between 2011 and 2015 had a 40% lower risk of death when compared to those diagnosed between 2000 and 2005 (95% CI: 0.38-0.94; p = 0.027).

CONCLUSION

The overall survival in curative intent Stage-I lung cancer patients' treatment was associated with the 5-year diagnosis group, the delayed time between diagnosis and treatment and the hospital qualification.

A guide for managing patients with stage I NSCLC: deciding between lobectomy, segmentectomy, wedge, SBRT and ablation-part 4: systematic review of evidence involving SBRT and ablation

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 SBRT or thermal ablation vs. resection is the focus of this paper. Evidence was abstracted from randomized trials and non-randomized comparisons with at least some 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

Short-term outcomes are meaningfully better after SBRT than resection. SBRT doesn't affect quality-of-life (QOL), on average pulmonary function is not altered, but a minority of patients may experience gradual late toxicity. Adjusted non-randomized comparisons demonstrate a clinically relevant detriment in long-term outcomes after SBRT vs. surgery. The short-term benefits of SBRT over surgery are accentuated with increasing age and compromised patients, but the long-term detriment remains. Ablation is associated with a higher rate of complications than SBRT, but there is little intermediate-term impact on quality-of-life or pulmonary function tests. Adjusted comparisons show a meaningful detriment in long-term outcomes after ablation vs. surgery; there is less difference between ablation and SBRT.

Conclusions

A systematic, comprehensive summary of evidence regarding Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy or thermal ablation vs. resection with attention to aspects of applicability, uncertainty and effect modifiers provides a foundation for a framework for individualized decision-making.

Role of stereotactic body radiotherapy for early-stage non-small-cell lung cancer in patients borderline for surgery due to impaired pulmonary function

AIM

Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) is recommended only for inoperable patients with early-stage (e-stage) non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We compared outcomes between surgery and SBRT in patients borderline for surgery due to impaired pulmonary function (PF).

METHODS

We reviewed single-institution retrospective data of 578 patients with clinically T1-2N0M0 NSCLC treated by surgery or SBRT between 2004 and 2014, and extracted a cohort with borderline impaired PF for surgery, which was defined as predicted postoperative (PPO) forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV₁ ) of <50% and ≥30%. Overall survival (OS), cancer-specific survival (CSS), and disease-free survival (DFS) were compared between surgery and SBRT using propensity score-matching (PSM) to avoid bias.

RESULTS

Among a total of 116 eligible patients with a median PPO FEV₁ of 45%, PSM identified 25 patients from each group with similar characteristics. The median age, pretreatment FEV₁ , and follow-up durations for the surgery and SBRT groups were 75 and 74 years, 58% and 56%, and 56 and 60 months, respectively. The 5-year OS, CSS, and DFS rates of the surgery versus SBRT groups were 60% versus 63%, 76% versus 81%, and 52% versus 48%, respectively (p = 0.97, 0.81, and 0.99). The surgical mortality was 4.0%, but no treatment-related death was observed after SBRT. The incidence of ≥ grade 2 adverse events after surgery was double that after SBRT (40% versus 20%, p = .22).

CONCLUSION

Our study suggests that SBRT is a reasonable option for patients with e-stage NSCLC and impaired PF who are considered borderline candidates for surgery.

Early-Stage Lung Cancer Patients’ Perceptions of Presurgical Discussions

Background

Patients with early-stage non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have high survival rates, but patients often say they did not anticipate the effect of the surgery on their postsurgical quality of life (QoL). This study adds to the literature regarding patient and surgeon interactions and highlights the areas where the current approach is not providing good communication.

Design

Since its start in 2016, the Initiative for Early Lung Cancer Research on Treatment (IELCART), a prospective cohort study, has enrolled 543 patients who underwent surgery for stage I NSCLC within the Mount Sinai Health System. Presurgical patient and surgeon surveys were available for 314 patients, postsurgical surveys for 420, and both pre- and postsurgical surveys for 285.

Results

Of patients with presurgical surveys, 31.2% said that their surgeon recommended multiple types of treatment. Of patients with postsurgical surveys, 85.0% felt very well prepared and 11.4% moderately well prepared for their postsurgical recovery. The median Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–Lung Cancer score and social support score of the patients who felt very well prepared was significantly higher than those moderately or not well prepared (24.0 v. 22.0, P < 0.001) and (5.0 [interquartile range: 4.7–5.0] v. 5.0 [IQR: 4.2–5.0], p = 0.015).

Conclusions

This study provides insight into the areas where surgeons are communicating well with their patients as well as the areas where patients still feel uninformed. Most surgeons feel that they prepare their patients well or very well for surgical recovery, whereas some patients still feel that their surgeons did not prepare them well for postsurgical recovery. Surgeons may want to spend additional time emphasizing postsurgical recovery and QoL with their patients or provide their patients with additional avenues to get their questions and concerns addressed.

Highlights

A Promising Treatment Strategy for Lung Cancer: A Combination of Radiotherapy and Immunotherapy

Lung cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide despite advances in treatment. In the past few decades, radiotherapy has achieved outstanding technical advances and is being widely used as a definitive, prophylactic, or palliative treatment of patients with lung cancer. The anti-tumor effects of radiotherapy are considered to result in DNA damage in cancer cells. Moreover, recent evidence has demonstrated another advantage of radiotherapy: the induction of anti-tumor immune responses, which play an essential role in cancer control. In contrast, radiotherapy induces an immunosuppressive response. These conflicting reactions after radiotherapy suggest that maximizing immune response to radiotherapy by combining immunotherapy has potential to achieve more effective anti-tumor response than using each alone. Immune checkpoint molecules, such as cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4, programmed cell death-1/programmed death-ligand 1, and their inhibitors, have attracted significant attention for overcoming the immunosuppressive conditions in patients with cancer. Therefore, the combination of immune checkpoint inhibitors and radiotherapy is promising. Emerging preclinical and clinical studies have demonstrated the rationale for these combination strategies. In this review, we outlined evidence suggesting that combination of radiotherapy, including particle therapy using protons and carbon ions, with immunotherapy in lung cancer treatment could be a promising treatment strategy.

Advances and controversies in the management of early stage non-small cell lung cancer

Complete resection continues to be the gold standard for the treatment of early-stage lung cancer. The landmark Lung Cancer Study Group trial in 1995 established lobectomy as the minimum intervention necessary for the management of early-stage non-small cell lung cancer, as it was associated with lower recurrence and metastasis rates than sublobar resection and lower postoperative morbidity and mortality than pneumonectomy. There is a growing tendency to perform sublobar resection in selected cases, as, depending on factors such as tumor size, histologic subtype, lymph node involvement, and resection margins, it can produce similar oncological results to lobectomy. Alternative treatments such as stereotactic body radiotherapy and radiofrequency ablation can also produce good outcomes in inoperable patients or patients who refuse surgery.

Bibliometric Analysis of the Top-Cited Publications and Research Trends for Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy

Objective

This study aims to analyze the 100 most cited papers and research trends on stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT).

Methods

We used Web of Science to identify the 100 most frequently cited papers on SBRT on September 29, 2021 and extracted the following data: publication year, source title, country/region, organization, total citations, and average number of citations per year. The research type and research domain were classified independently by the authors. Then we carried out a bibliometric analysis to determine the trends in research on SBRT.

Results

These 100 papers were cited a total of 26,540 times, and the median number of citations was 190 (range, 138-1688). “Stereotactic body radiation therapy for inoperable early stage lung cancer” by Timmerman et al. had the highest number of total citations (1688 times). International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics published the largest number of papers (37 papers), followed by Journal of Clinical Oncology (13 papers). The USA contributed the most papers (67 papers), followed by Canada (18 papers). Primary lung cancer (33 papers, 10,683 citations) and oligometastases (30 papers, 7,147 citations) were the most cited research areas.

Conclusions

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first bibliometric analysis of the most frequently cited papers on SBRT. Our results provide insight into the historical development of SBRT and important advances in its application to cancer treatment. Early-stage non–small-cell lung cancer and oligometastases were the most cited research areas in the top 100 publications on SBRT, and SBRT combined with immunotherapy was a hot topic in the past few years. This study is helpful for researchers to identify the most influential papers and current research hotspots on SBRT.

Virtual randomized study comparing lobectomy and particle beam therapy for clinical stage IA non-small cell lung cancer in operable patients

To the best of our knowledge there have been no randomized controlled trials comparing lobectomy-a standard treatment for patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)-and particle beam therapy (PBT), the best performing existing radiotherapy. We conducted a virtual randomized trial in medically operable patients with stage IA NSCLC to compare lobectomy and PBT effectiveness. A Markov model was developed to predict life expectancy after lobectomy and PBT in a cohort of patients with stage IA NSCLC. Ten thousand virtual patients were randomly assigned to each group. Sensitivity analyses were performed as model variables and scenarios changed to determine which treatment strategy was best for improving life expectancy. All estimated model parameters were determined using variables extracted from a systematic literature review of previously published articles. The preferred strategy differed depending on patient age. In young patients, lobectomy showed better life expectancy than that of PBT. The difference in life expectancy between lobectomy and PBT was statistically insignificant in older patients. Our model predicted lobectomy as the preferred strategy when operative mortality was under 5%. However, the preferred strategy changed to PBT if operative mortality post lobectomy was over 5%. For medically operable patients with stage IA NSCLC, our Markov model revealed the preferred strategy of lobectomy or PBT regarding operative mortality changed with varying age and comorbidity. Until randomized controlled trial results become available, we hope the current results will provide a rationale background for clinicians to decide treatment modalities for patients with stage IA NSCLC.

Reconciling two opposing effects of radiation therapy: stimulation of cancer cell invasion and activation of anti-cancer immunity

PURPOSE

The damage caused by radiation therapy to cancerous and normal cells inevitably leads to changes in the secretome profile of pro and anti-inflammatory mediators. The inflammatory response depends on the dose of radiation and its fractionation, while the inherent radiosensitivity of each patient dictates the intensity and types of adverse reactions. This review will present an overview of two apparently opposite reactions that may occur after radiation treatment: induction of an antitumor immune response and a protumoral response. Emphasis is placed on the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved.

CONCLUSIONS

By understanding how radiation changes the balance between anti- and protumoral effects, these forces can be manipulated to optimize radiation oncology treatments.

Managing screening-detected subsolid nodules-the Asian perspective

The broad application of low-dose computed tomography (CT) screening has resulted in the detection of many small pulmonary nodules. In Asia, a large number of these detected nodules with a radiological ground glass pattern are reported as lung adenocarcinomas or premalignant lesions, especially among female non-smokers. In this review article, we discuss controversial issues and conditions involving these subsolid pulmonary nodules that we often face in Asia, including a lack or insufficiency of current guidelines; the roles of preoperative biopsy and imaging; the location of lesions; appropriate selection of localization techniques; the roles of dissection and sampling of frozen sections and lymph nodes; multifocal lesions; and the roles of non-surgical treatment modalities. For these complex issues, we have tried to present up-to-date evidence and our own opinions regarding the management of subsolid nodules. It is our hope that this article helps surgeons and physicians to manage the complex issues involving ground glass nodules (GGNs) in a balanced manner in their daily practice and provokes further discussion towards better guidelines and/or algorithms.

Global evolution of research on pulmonary nodules: a bibliometric analysis

Aim: To provide a historical and global picture of research concerning lung nodules, compare the contributions of major countries and explore research trends over the past 10 years. Methods: A bibliometric analysis of publications from Scopus (1970-2020) and Web of Science (2011-2020). Results: Publications about pulmonary nodules showed an enormous growth trend from 1970 to 2020. There is a high level of collaboration among the 20 most productive countries and regions, with the USA located at the center of the collaboration network. The keywords 'deep learning', 'artificial intelligence' and 'machine learning' are current hotspots. Conclusions: Abundant research has focused on pulmonary nodules. Deep learning is emerging as a promising tool for lung cancer diagnosis and management.

Prediction of Microscopic Metastases in Patients with Metachronous Oligo-Metastases after Curative Treatment of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Microsimulation Study

Simple Summary

Many patients with metachronous oligo-metastases in non-small cell lung cancer have their recurrences surgically removed, although the 5-year recurrence-free survival of this group is 16%. This does not provide any benefit for patients with additional undetected metastases. Therefore, we aim to find patient characteristics that are predictive for having additional undetected microscopic metastases. Based on a theoretical approach, we identified the size and number of detected oligo-metastases, as well as the presence of symptoms that are the most important risk predictors.

Abstract

Metachronous oligo-metastatic disease is variably defined as one to five metastases detected after a disease-free interval and treatment of the primary tumour with curative intent. Oligo-metastases in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are often treated with curative intent. However additional metastases are often detected later in time, and the 5-year survival is low. Burdensome surgical treatment in patients with undetected metastases may be avoided if patients with a high versus low risk of undetected metastases can be separated. Because there is no clinical data on undetected metastases available, a microsimulation model of the development and detection of metastases in 100,000 hypothetical stage I NSCLC patients with a controlled primary tumour was constructed. The model uses data from the literature as well as patient-level data. Calibration was used for the unobservable model parameters. Metastases can be detected by a scheduled scan, or an unplanned scan when the patient develops symptoms. The observable information at time of detection is used to identify subgroups of patients with a different risk of undetectable metastases. We identified the size and number of detected oligo-metastases, as well as the presence of symptoms that are the most important risk predictors. Based on these predictors, patients could be divided into a low-risk and a high-risk group, having a model-based predicted probability of 8.1% and 89.3% to have undetected metastases, respectively. Currently, the model is based on a synthesis of the literature data and individual patient-level data that were not collected for the purpose of this study. Optimization and validation of the model is necessary to allow clinical usability. We describe the type of data that needs to be collected to update our model, as well as the design of such a validation study.

Cost-Effectiveness of Surveillance Scanning Strategies after Curative Treatment of Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer

BACKGROUND

After curative treatment of primary non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), patients undergo intensive surveillance with the aim to detect recurrences from the primary tumor or metachronous second primary lung cancer as early as possible and improve overall survival. However, the benefit of surveillance is debated. Available evidence is of low quality and conflicting. Microsimulation modeling facilitates the exploration of the impact of different surveillance strategies and provides insight into the cost-effectiveness of surveillance.

METHODS

A microsimulation model was used to simulate a range of computed tomography (CT)-based surveillance schedules, differing in the frequency and duration of CT surveillance. The impact on survival, quality-adjusted life-years, costs, and cost-effectiveness of each schedule was assessed.

RESULTS

Ten of 108 strategies formed the cost-effectiveness frontier; that is, these were the strategies with the optimal cost-health benefit balance. Per person, the discounted QALYs of these strategies varied between 5.72 and 5.81 y, and discounted costs varied between €9892 and €19,259. Below a willingness-to-pay threshold of €50,000/QALY, no scanning is the preferred option. For a willingness-to-pay threshold of €80,000/QALY, surveillance scanning every 2 y starting 1 y after curative treatment becomes the best option, with €11,860 discounted costs and 5.76 discounted QALYs per person. The European Society for Medical Oncology guideline strategy was more expensive and less effective than several other strategies.

CONCLUSION

Model simulations suggest that limited CT surveillance scanning after the treatment of primary NSCLC is cost-effective, but the incremental health-benefit remains marginal. However, model simulations do suggest that the guideline strategy is not cost-effective.

A retrospective study of clinicopathologic and molecular features of inoperable early-stage non-small cell lung cancer treated with stereotactic ablative radiotherapy

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) is the treatment of choice for medically inoperable, early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (ES-NSCLC). The influence of oncogenic driver alterations and comorbidities are not well known. Here we present treatment outcomes based on clinicopathologic features and molecular profiles.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed patients treated with SABR for inoperable ES-NSCLC. Molecular features of oncogenic driver alterations included EGFR, ALK, and ROS1. Comorbidities were assessed using the age-adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index (ACCI). Survival was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. The Cox regression model was performed for univariate and multivariate analyses of prognostic factors. Competing risk analysis was used to evaluate the cumulative incidence of disease progression.

RESULTS

From 2008 to 2020, 100 patients (median age: 82 years) were enrolled. The majority of patients were male (64%), ever-smokers (60%), and had adenocarcinoma (65%). With a median follow-up of 21.5 months, the median overall survival (OS) and real-world progression-free survival were 37.7 and 25.1 months, respectively. The competing-risk-adjusted 3-year cumulative incidences of local, regional, and disseminated failure were 8.2%, 14.5%, and 31.2%, respectively. An ACCI ≥7 was independently associated with inferior OS (hazard ratio [HR] 2.45, p = 0.03). Tumor size ≥4 cm (HR 4.16, p < 0.001) was the most important independent prognostic factor predicting real-world progression. EGFR mutation status had no impact on the outcomes.

CONCLUSION

SABR provides excellent local control in ES-NSCLC, although disseminated failures remains a major concern. ACCI is the best indicator for OS, while tumor sizes ≥4 cm predicts poor disease control.

Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy Versus Delayed Surgery for Early-stage Non-small-cell Lung Cancer

Objective:

To evaluate the overall survival of patients with operable stage IA non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who undergo “early” SBRT (within 0–30 days after diagnosis) versus “delayed” surgery (90–120 days after diagnosis).

Summary of Background Data:

During the COVID-19 pandemic, national guidelines have recommended patients with operable stage IA NSCLC to consider delaying surgery by at least 3 months or, alternatively, to undergo SBRT without delay. It is unknown which strategy is associated with better short- and long-term outcomes.

Methods:

Multivariable Cox proportional hazards modeling and propensity score-matched analysis was used to compare the overall survival of patients with stage IA NSCLC in the National Cancer Data Base from 2004 to 2015 who underwent “early” SBRT (0–30 days after diagnosis) versus that of patients who underwent “delayed” wedge resection (90–120 days after diagnosis).

Results:

During the study period, 570 (55%) patients underwent early SBRT and 475 (45%) underwent delayed wedge resection. In multivariable analysis, delayed resection was associated with improved survival [adjusted hazard ratio 0.61; (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.50–0.76)]. Propensity-score matching was used to create 2 groups of 279 patients each who received early SBRT or delayed resection that were well-matched with regard to baseline characteristics. The 5-year survival associated with delayed resection was 53% (95% CI: 45%–61%) which was better than the 5-year survival associated with early SBRT (31% [95% CI: 24%–37%]).

Conclusion:

In this national analysis, for patients with stage IA NSCLC, extended delay of surgery was associated with improved survival when compared to early treatment with SBRT.

Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Lobectomy Versus Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy Treatment for Early-Stage Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Propensity Score-Matching Analysis

Background

Compared the overall outcomes of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) versus stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for stage I-II non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods

We retrospectively compared overall survival (OS), cancer-specific survival (CSS), locoregional control (LRC), and disease-free survival (DFS) at our institution between January 2012 and December 2016. Propensity score-matching was performed to reduce patient selection bias based on age, gender, Karnofsky performance score, Charlson comorbidity index, pulmonary function, and tumor diameter.

Results

A total of 567 patients treated with SBRT (n = 109) or surgery (n = 458) were included. Of those, 104 patients were matched for further analyses. Median follow-up was 44 months. At 3 and 5 years, OS was 88.6 and 79.9% for SBRT, and 94.2 and 91.6% for surgery (p = 0.097). There were no differences noted in 5-year CSS (83.7 vs. 91.6%, respectively; p = 0.270). The cumulative incidence of LRC at 3 and 5 years was comparable (93.5 and 93.5% vs. 94.0 and 85.9%, respectively; p = 0.621). Differences in the rates of disease-free survival at 5 years were not statistically significant (79.0 and 80.5%, respectively; p = 0.624).

Conclusions

This propensity score-matching analysis suggests that SBRT can be an alternative option to VATS lobectomy for stage I-II NSCLC.

SABRTooth: a randomised controlled feasibility study of stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) with surgery in patients with peripheral stage I nonsmall cell lung cancer considered to be at higher risk of complications from surgical resection

OBJECTIVES

Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) is a well-established treatment for medically inoperable peripheral stage I nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Previous nonrandomised evidence supports SABR as an alternative to surgery, but high-quality randomised controlled trial (RCT) evidence is lacking. The SABRTooth study aimed to establish whether a UK phase III RCT was feasible.

DESIGN AND METHODS

SABRTooth was a UK multicentre randomised controlled feasibility study targeting patients with peripheral stage I NSCLC considered to be at higher risk of surgical complications. 54 patients were planned to be randomised 1:1 to SABR or surgery. The primary outcome was monthly average recruitment rates.

RESULTS

Between July 2015 and January 2017, 318 patients were considered for the study and 205 (64.5%) were deemed ineligible. Out of 106 (33.3%) assessed as eligible, 24 (22.6%) patients were randomised to SABR (n=14) or surgery (n=10). A key theme for nonparticipation was treatment preference, with 43 (41%) preferring nonsurgical treatment and 19 (18%) preferring surgery. The average monthly recruitment rate was 1.7 patients against a target of three. 15 patients underwent their allocated treatment: SABR n=12, surgery n=3.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that a phase III RCT randomising higher risk patients between SABR and surgery is not feasible in the National Health Service. Patients have pre-existing treatment preferences, which was a barrier to recruitment. A significant proportion of patients randomised to the surgical group declined and chose SABR. SABR remains an alternative to surgery and novel study approaches are needed to define which patients benefit from a nonsurgical approach.

Stereotactic body radiation therapy for medically inoperable early-stage lung cancer: Tata Memorial Hospital perspective and practice recommendations

Background

Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) is now considered the standard treatment for medically inoperable early-stage non-small lung cell cancer (ES-NSCLC).

Purpose

There is a paucity of data related to outcomes with SBRT in ES-NSCLC from the developing countries. We report the early outcomes of ES-NSCLC patients treated with SBRT at our institute.

Materials and Methods

Between 2007 and 2015, 40 consecutive patients with histologically proven ES-NSCLC were treated with SBRT. Median age was 71 years (range: 46-88 years) and median Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) was 3. The majority had stage I (70%) and 45% of the tumors were centrally located. The median tumor diameter was 3.8 cm (range: 2-7.6 cm). The mean gross tumor volume was 41 cc (range: 4-139 cc) and the mean planning target volume (PTV) was 141 cc (range: 27-251 cc). Varying dose and fraction (fr) sizes were used depending on tumor location, tumor size, and treatment period. The median biologically effective dose (BED) was 77 Gy₁₀ (range: 77-105 Gy₁₀) for the initial cohort (2007-2012) and 105 Gy₁₀ (range: 77-132 Gy₁₀) for the subsequent cohort (2013-2015).

Results

After a median follow-up of 16 months (range: 3-99 months), the 2-year local control (LC), overall survival, and cancer-specific survival (CSS) rates were 94%, 41%, and 62%, respectively. The univariate and multivariate analysis determined CCI >3 and PTV >80.6 cc as significant predictors of worse OS and CSS (P< 0.01). The clinical stage, tumor location, BED, and treatment period (2007-2012 vs. 2013-2015) did not significantly predict any of the outcomes. The most common acute toxicities were skin erythema (10%), grade 1 esophagitis (8%), and exacerbation of previous chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (10%). Grade ≥2 late radiation pneumonitis was seen in 17.5%. One patient developed a rib fracture. No neurological or vascular complications were seen.

Conclusions

SBRT results in excellent local control (LC) and acceptable survival in medically inoperable ES-NSCLC with minimal adverse effects. Charlson comorbidity index and target volume are important prognostic factors and may aid in patient selection.

Surgery and invasive diagnostic procedures for benign disease are rare in a large low-dose computed tomography lung cancer screening program

OBJECTIVE

Lung cancer screening with low-dose chest computed tomography improves survival. However, concerns about overdiagnosis and unnecessary interventions persist. We reviewed our lung cancer screening program to determine the rate of surgery and invasive procedures for nonmalignant disease.

METHODS

We reviewed all patients undergoing lung cancer screening from January 2012 to June 2017 with follow-up through January 2019. Patients with suspicious findings (Lung CT Screening Reporting and Data System 4) were referred for further evaluation.

RESULTS

Of 3280 patients screened, 345 (10.5%) had Lung CT Screening Reporting and Data System 4 findings. A total of 311 patients had complete follow-up, of whom 93 (29.9%) were diagnosed with lung cancer. Eighty-three patients underwent lung surgery (2.5% of screened patients). Forty patients underwent lobectomy (48.2%), 3 patients (3.6%) underwent bilobectomy, and 40 patients (48.2%) underwent sublobar resection. Fourteen patients underwent surgery for benign disease (0.43% of screened patients). Fifty-four patients, 5 with benign disease, had at least 1 invasive diagnostic procedure but never underwent surgery. The incidence of any invasive intervention for nonmalignant disease was 0.95% (31/3280 patients). There were no postprocedural deaths within 60 days. Twenty-five patients (0.76%) underwent stereotactic body radiation therapy; 19 patients (76%) had presumed lung cancer without pretreatment pathologic confirmation.

CONCLUSIONS

Surgical resection for benign disease occurred in 0.43% of patients undergoing lung cancer screening. The combined incidence of any invasive diagnostic or therapeutic intervention, including surgical resection, for benign disease was only 0.95%. Periprocedural complications were rare. These results indicate that concern over unnecessary interventions is overstated and should not hinder adoption of lung cancer screening. A multidisciplinary team approach, including thoracic surgeons, is critical to maintain an appropriate rate of interventions in lung cancer screening.

Surgery versus stereotactic body radiotherapy for clinical stage I non-small-cell lung cancer: propensity score-matching analysis including the ratio of ground glass nodules

PURPOSE

To investigate whether surgery and stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) yield comparable outcomes for clinical stage (c-stage) I non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), propensity score-matching (PSM) analysis was conducted.

METHODS

This single-institutional retrospective study included patients who underwent surgery (n = 574) or SBRT (n = 182) between 2004 and 2014. PSM was performed based on tumor diameter, age, sex, performance status, forced expiratory volume, Charlson comorbidity index, and ground glass nodules (GGN) defined as cTis or cT1mi according to the 8th TNM classification.

RESULTS

The median follow-up durations for the surgery and SBRT groups were 66 and 69 months, respectively. The multivariate analysis revealed that non-GGN was a significant factor for poorer overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS): hazard ratio (HR) 19.95% confidence interval (CI) 4.7-79, P < 0.001; and HR 28, 95% CI 6.9-110, P < 0.001, respectively. PSM identified 120 patients from each group. The 5-year OS and DFS rates of the surgery vs SBRT groups were 71% (95% CI 61-79) vs 64% (95% CI 54-72) (P = 0.41) and 63% (95% CI 53-72) vs 55% (95% CI 45-63) (P = 0.23) after PSM, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The PSM analyses including the ratio of GGN demonstrated that the OS and DFS for patients with c-stage I NSCLC in the surgery group were slightly superior to those for those in the SBRT group, although both survivals were not significantly different between the two therapeutic approaches.

Current radiotherapy techniques in NSCLC: challenges and potential solutions

Introduction: Radiotherapy is an important therapeutic strategy in the management of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In recent decades, technological implementations and the introduction of image guided radiotherapy (IGRT) have significantly increased the accuracy and tolerability of radiation therapy.Area covered: In this review, we provide an overview of technological opportunities and future prospects in NSCLC management.Expert opinion: Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) is now considered the standard approach in patients ineligible for surgery, while in operable cases, it is still under debate. Additionally, in combination with systemic treatment, SBRT is an innovative option for managing oligometastatic patients and features encouraging initial results in clinical outcomes. To date, in inoperable locally advanced NSCLC, the radical dose prescription has not changed (60 Gy in 30 fractions), despite the median overall survival progressively increasing. These results arise from technological improvements in precisely hitting target treatment volumes and organ at risk sparing, which are associated with better treatment qualities. Finally, for the management of NSCLC, proton and carbon ion therapies and the recent development of MR-Linac are new, intriguing technological approaches under investigation.

Oncologic Outcomes of Surgery Versus SBRT for Non-Small-Cell Lung Carcinoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The optimal treatment of stage I non-small-cell lung carcinoma is subject to debate. The aim of this study was to compare overall survival and oncologic outcomes of lobar resection (LR), sublobar resection (SR), and stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT).

METHODS

A systematic review and meta-analysis of oncologic outcomes of propensity matched comparative and noncomparative cohort studies was performed. Outcomes of interest were overall survival and disease-free survival. The inverse variance method and the random-effects method for meta-analysis were utilized to assess the pooled estimates.

RESULTS

A total of 100 studies with patients treated for clinical stage I non-small-cell lung carcinoma were included. Long-term overall and disease-free survival after LR was superior over SBRT in all comparisons, and for most comparisons, SR was superior to SBRT. Noncomparative studies showed superior long-term overall and disease-free survival for both LR and SR over SBRT. Although the papers were heterogeneous and of low quality, results remained essentially the same throughout a large number of stratifications and sensitivity analyses.

CONCLUSION

Results of this systematic review and meta-analysis showed that LR has superior outcomes compared to SBRT for cI non-small-cell lung carcinoma. New trials are underway evaluating long-term results of SBRT in potentially operable patients.

Recurrence After Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy Versus Lobectomy for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

BACKGROUND

Although lobectomy remains the standard of care for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer, several studies suggest equipoise between lobectomy and stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT). However randomized evidence is lacking. We compared outcomes of early-stage non-small cell lung cancer patients treated with lobectomy or SBRT.

METHODS

We included clinical T1-2N0 non-small cell lung cancer treated with lobectomy or SBRT to a biologically effective dose of ≥100 Gy₁₀. We used Cox proportional hazards and nearest-neighbor propensity score (2:1) matching to adjust for confounders. Kaplan-Meier curves were used to assess survival and recurrence.

RESULTS

We identified 554 patients treated with lobectomy (n = 389) or SBRT (n = 165) at our institution between 2008 and 2018. After propensity score matching, there were 132 SBRT patients and 85 lobectomy patients. SBRT was associated with increased local recurrence (hazard ratio [HR], 6.80; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.92-24.10; P = .003) and regional nodal recurrence (HR, 2.58; 95% CI, 1.17-5.68; P = .018), and with worse overall survival (HR, 2.00; 95% CI, 1.21-3.32; P = .007) and progression-free survival (HR, 2.34; 95% CI, 1.50-3.67; P < .001). There was no difference in distant recurrence (HR, 1.19; 95% CI, 0.57-2.52; P = .64).

CONCLUSIONS

We found superior outcomes in patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer treated with lobectomy compared with SBRT, including locoregional control. These findings should be interpreted with caution because of selection bias but underscore the importance of robust randomized prospective data to clarify the relative efficacy of these modalities.

Survival of Primary Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy Compared With Surgery for Operable Stage I/II Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

BACKGROUND

Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is an accepted primary treatment option for inoperable early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The role of SBRT in the treatment of operable disease remains unclear. We retrospectively evaluated patients with operable early-stage NSCLC who elected to receive primary SBRT, examined factors associated with SBRT, and compared overall survival after surgical resection and SBRT.

METHODS

The National Cancer Database was queried for patients with stage I/II, N0 NSCLC from 2004 to 2016. The proportion of patients who refused recommended surgery and were treated with SBRT was calculated. A propensity score predicting the probability of refusing surgery and receiving SBRT was generated and used to match SBRT and resected patients. Long-term overall survival was compared in the matched cohort using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression.

RESULTS

We identified 1359 patients (0.98%) who refused recommended surgery and elected SBRT. This proportion increased annually, from 0.1% in 2004 to 1.7% in 2016. Factors associated with SBRT were older age, black race, Medicaid coverage, lower T stage, and more recent diagnosis year. Propensity matching resulted in 1315 well-balanced pairs. Surgery was associated with higher median survival (74 vs 47 months, P < .01) in the matched cohort. Survival benefit persisted after adjusting for covariates on Cox regression (hazard ratio, 1.69; P < .01).

CONCLUSIONS

Median survival was significantly higher after surgery compared with SBRT in a risk-adjusted matched cohort of patients judged to be surgical candidates. Operable patients considering primary SBRT should be educated regarding this difference in survival.

Stereotactic body radiotherapy for elderly patients (≥ 75 years) with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer

PURPOSE

Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) is the primary treatment method for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) considered inoperable due to medical comorbidities. However, the application of SBRT in patients aged ≥ 75 years has not been adequately studied. This retrospective study aimed to investigate the effectiveness and safety of SBRT in early-stage NSCLC patients aged ≥ 75 years, and the impact of treatment on nutritional status and self-care ability.

METHODS

Histopathologically confirmed early-stage (T1-3N0M0) NSCLC patients aged ≥ 75 years treated with SBRT between 2013 and 2018 at our center were identified from the electronic database. Treatment efficacy, treatment toxicities, impact of treatment on nutritional status, and self-care ability were retrospectively analyzed. Toxicities were evaluated according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Event (CTCAE) (Common 2010) version 4.0. Nutritional status was assessed by Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 criteria, and self-care ability by Barthel index and fall risk index.

RESULTS

A total of 68 patients were enrolled. Median follow-up duration was 46.3 (3.9-80.1) months. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates were 92.6%, 77.2%, and 59.1%, respectively, and the 1-year, 3-year and 5-year local control rates were 95.6%, 88.9% and 85.6%, respectively. Grade 1-2 and grade 3 radiation pneumonitis occurred in 60/68 (96.8%) and 1/68 (1.5%) patients, respectively. Fall risk at 3 months after treatment was not significantly different from that before treatment (P = 0.22). Barthel index increased significantly after treatment (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

SBRT appears to be effective and safe for NSCLC patients aged ≥ 75 years, with no adverse impact on nutritional status and self-care ability.

Management of patients with early stage lung cancer - why do some patients not receive treatment with curative intent?

Backgrounds

This study aims to understand the factors that influence whether patients receive potentially curative treatment for early stage lung cancer. A key question was whether indigenous Māori patients were less likely to receive treatment.

Methods

Patients included those diagnosed with early stage lung cancer in 2011–2018 and resident in the New Zealand Midland Cancer Network region. Logistic regression model was used to estimate the odds ratios of having curative surgery/ treatment. The Kaplan Meier method was used to examine the all-cause survival and Cox proportional hazard model was used to estimate the hazard ratio of death.

Results

In total 419/583 (71.9%) of patients with Stage I and II disease were treated with curative intent - 272 (46.7%) patients had curative surgery. Patients not receiving potentially curative treatment were older, were less likely to have non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), had poorer lung function and were more likely to have an ECOG performance status of 2+. Current smokers were less likely to be treated with surgery and more likely to receive treatment with radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Those who were treated with surgery had a 2-year survival of 87.8% (95% CI: 83.8–91.8%) and 5-year survival of 69.6% (95% CI: 63.2–76.0%). Stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR) has equivalent effect on survival compared to curative surgery (hazard ratio: 0.77, 95% CI: 0.37–1.61). After adjustment we could find no difference in treatment and survival between Māori and non-Māori.

Conclusions

The majority of patients with stage I and II lung cancer are managed with potentially curative treatment – mainly surgery and increasingly with SABR. The outcomes of those being diagnosed with stage I and II disease and receiving treatment is positive with 70% surviving 5 years.

Definitive Management of Presumed Synchronous Early Stage Non-Small Cell Lung Cancers: Outcomes and Utility of Stereotactic Ablative Radiation Therapy

PURPOSE

Management of synchronous early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains controversial because resection is not always feasible. This study evaluates efficacy and patterns of failure after SABR for synchronous early-stage NSCLC.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

From 2005 to 2015, patients presenting with ≥2 synchronous NSCLC tumors (T1a-T2b) and receiving SABR to ≥1 lesion were reviewed. The most common prescriptions were 50 Gy in 4 or 70 Gy in 10 fractions. Patients underwent multidisciplinary management with workup including chest computed tomography and positron emission tomography/computed tomography, plus brain imaging and endoscopic bronchial ultrasound for most patients to rule out mediastinal and distant disease. Synchronous lesions were defined as multiple ipsilateral or contralateral intrapulmonary lesions diagnosed within 6 months.

RESULTS

Of 912 patients treated with SABR for early-stage NSCLC at our institution, 82 (9%) presented with synchronous disease, with a total of 169 lesions. SABR was delivered to 142 lesions (84%), with 57 patients (69.5%) receiving SABR for all sites. Median overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were 5.1 and 2.7 years, respectively. At a median follow-up of 58 months, OS was 67% and 52% at 3 and 5 years, and corresponding PFS was 47% and 29%. Thirty-nine patients (48%) had progression, with 21 (26%) experiencing distant failure, and intralobar recurrence was among the first failure for 15 patients (18%). Of the 142 SABR-treated sites, these included 6 in-field (4%) and 4 marginal (3%) recurrences. There were no grade ≥3 adverse events. Among patients receiving SABR for all sites, there were no differences in OS (P = .946), PFS (P = .980), local control (P = .683), regional and distant control (P = .656), or toxicity (P = .791). On multivariable analysis, ipsilateral synchronous disease was associated with greater regional and distant failure (hazard ratio, 2.691; P = .025).

CONCLUSIONS

Synchronous NSCLC can be managed with definitive local therapy. With high control rates and favorable outcomes, SABR is an effective and feasible treatment for synchronous early-stage NSCLC.

Cost-effectiveness of stereotactic body radiation therapy versus video assisted thoracic surgery in medically operable stage I non-small cell lung cancer: A modeling study

OBJECTIVES

Stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) can be treated with either Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT) or Video Assisted Thoracic Surgery (VATS) resection. To support decision making, not only the impact on survival needs to be taken into account, but also on quality of life, costs and cost-effectiveness. Therefore, we performed a cost-effectiveness analysis comparing SBRT to VATS resection with respect to quality adjusted life years (QALY) lived and costs in operable stage I NSCLC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patient level and aggregate data from eight Dutch databases were used to estimate costs, health utilities, recurrence free and overall survival. Propensity score matching was used to minimize selection bias in these studies. A microsimulation model predicting lifetime outcomes after treatment in stage I NSCLC patients was used for the cost-effectiveness analysis. Model outcomes for the two treatments were overall survival, QALYs, and total costs. We used a Dutch health care perspective with 1.5 % discounting for health effects, and 4 % discounting for costs, using 2018 cost data. The impact of model parameter uncertainty was assessed with deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses.

RESULTS

Patients receiving either VATS resection or SBRT were estimated to live 5.81 and 5.86 discounted QALYs, respectively. Average discounted lifetime costs in the VATS group were €29,269 versus €21,175 for SBRT. Difference in 90-day excess mortality between SBRT and VATS resection was the main driver for the difference in QALYs. SBRT was dominant in at least 74 % of the probabilistic simulations.

CONCLUSION

Using a microsimulation model to combine available evidence on survival, costs, and health utilities in a cost-effectiveness analysis for stage I NSCLC led to the conclusion that SBRT dominates VATS resection in the majority of simulations.

Radiotherapy Planning and Molecular Imaging in Lung Cancer

INTRODUCTION

In patients suitable for radical chemoradiotherapy for lung cancer, 18F-FDGPET/ CT is a proposed management to improve the accuracy of high dose radiotherapy. However, there is a high rate of locoregional failure in patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), probably due to the fact that standard dosing may not be effective in all patients. The aim of the present review was to address some criticisms associated with the radiotherapy image-guided in NSCLC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A systematic literature search was conducted. Only published articles that met the following criteria were included: articles, only original papers, radiopharmaceutical ([18F]FDG and any tracer other than [18F]FDG), target, only specific for lung cancer radiotherapy planning, and experimental design (eventually "in vitro" studies were excluded). Peer-reviewed indexed journals, regardless of publication status (published, ahead of print, in press, etc.) were included. Reviews, case reports, abstracts, editorials, poster presentations, and publications in languages other than English were excluded. The decision to include or exclude an article was made by consensus and any disagreement was resolved through discussion.

RESULTS

Hundred eligible full-text articles were assessed. Diverse information is now available in the literature about the role of FDG and new alternative radiopharmaceuticals for the planning of radiotherapy in NSCLC. In particular, the role of alternative technologies for the segmentation of FDG uptake is essential, although indeterminate for RT planning. The pros and cons of the available techniques have been extensively reported.

CONCLUSION

PET/CT has a central place in the planning of radiotherapy for lung cancer and, in particular, for NSCLC assuming a substantial role in the delineation of tumor volume. The development of new radiopharmaceuticals can help overcome the problems related to the disadvantage of FDG to accumulate also in activated inflammatory cells, thus improving tumor characterization and providing new prognostic biomarkers.

Comparison of the outcomes of stereotactic body radiotherapy versus surgical treatment for elderly (≥70) patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer after propensity score matching

Background

The optimal treatment for elderly patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains inconclusive. Previous studies have shown that stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) provides encouraging local control though higher incidence of toxicity in elderly than younger populations. The objective of this study was to compare the outcomes of SBRT and surgical treatment in elderly patients with clinical stage I-II NSCLC.

Methods

This retrospective analysis included 205 patients aged ≥70 years with clinical stage I NSCLC who underwent SBRT or surgery at Zhejiang Cancer Hospital (Hangzhou, China) from January 2012 to December 2017. A propensity score matching analysis was performed between the two groups. In addition, we compared outcomes and related toxicity in both study arms.

Results

Each group included 35 patients who met the inclusion criteria. Median follow-up was 50.1 (0.8–74.4) months for surgery and 35.5 (11.5–71.4) months for SBRT. The rate of cancer-specific survival was similar between the two treatment arms (p = 0.958). In patients who underwent surgery, the corresponding 3- and 5-year cancer-specific survival rates were 85.3 and 81.7%, respectively. In those who received radiotherapy, these rates were 91.3 and 74.9%, respectively. Moreover, the 3- and 5-year locoregional control in patients who underwent surgery were 90.0 and 80.0%, respectively. In those who received radiotherapy, these rates were 91.1 and 84.1%, respectively. Notably, the observed differences in progression-free survival were not statistically significant (p = 0.934). In the surgery group, grade 1–2 complications were observed in eleven patients (31%). One patient died due to perioperative infection within 30 days following surgery. There was no grade 3–5 toxicity observed in the SBRT group.

Conclusions

The outcomes of surgery and SBRT in elderly patients with early-stage NSCLC were similar.

Comparison of Long-term Survival of Patients With Early-Stage Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer After Surgery vs Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy

IMPORTANCE

Previous comparisons of surgery and stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for early-stage (ES) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) did not account for the extent of regional lymph node examination (LNE) during surgery.

OBJECTIVE

To compare long-term overall survival (OS) of patients with ES NSCLC after surgery vs SBRT when the extent of regional LNE in patients undergoing surgery is thoroughly considered.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

Cohort study with survival comparisons using the multivariable Cox proportional hazards model and after propensity score matching. Data from the National Cancer Database were analyzed from October 28, 2018, through April 18, 2019. Patients with ES NSCLC diagnosed between January 1, 2004, and December 31, 2015, who underwent any curative-intent surgery or SBRT were included.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Long-term OS.

RESULTS

Of 104 709 total patients, 91 330 underwent surgery (42 508 [46.5%] male; median [interquartile range] age, 68 [61-75] years) and 13 379 received SBRT (6065 [45.3%] male; median [interquartile range] age, 75 [68-81] years). Surgery, especially lobectomy (hazard ratio [HR], 0.53; 95% CI, 0.50-0.56), and regional LNE, especially when more than 10 lymph nodes were examined (HR, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.69-0.77), were associated with better long-term OS (P < .001). Pneumonectomy was not associated with reduced mortality risk when 0 nodes were examined (HR for stage T1, 1.43; 95% CI, 0.67-3.06; P = .35; HR for stage T2-T3, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.34-1.13; P = .12) or when more than 15 nodes were examined for stage T1 disease in patients younger than 80 years (HR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.54-1.09; P = .14) or when patients aged 80 years or older received regional LNE of any extent (>15 nodes examined: HR for stage T1, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.16-2.64; P = .54; HR for stage T2-T3, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.50-1.60; P = .71). Less extensive surgery was not associated with improved OS when 0 nodes were examined in patients aged 80 years or older with stage T2 to T3 tumors (HR for lobectomy, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.65-1.25; P = .53) and in selected operable patients older than 75 years with stage T1 tumors (HR for lobectomy, 1.07; 95% CI, 0.57-2.00; P = .84).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

This study found that, overall, surgery coupled with regional LNE of appropriate extent was associated with the best long-term OS in patients with ES NSCLC.

Comparison of Survival After Mohs Micrographic Surgery vs Wide Margin Excision for Early-Stage Invasive Melanoma

Importance

Melanoma is among the most common malignant neoplasms in the United States, with 91 270 cases estimated to be diagnosed in 2018. Since 2012, Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) has gained popularity in the treatment of melanoma in situ. Although current guidelines for invasive melanoma without nodal metastases recommend surgery with wide margin excision (WME), use of MMS for this disease has increased as well, particularly in early stages. How the survival outcomes after each procedure compare with one another for early-stage invasive melanoma is unknown to date.

Objective

To evaluate overall survival of patients with stage I melanoma defined by the American Joint Committee on Cancer Cancer Staging Manual, 8th edition (AJCC-8) after MMS vs traditional WME.

Design, Setting, and Analysis

This retrospective cohort study includes all patients with AJCC-8 stage I melanoma who underwent MMS or WME in the National Cancer Database with a diagnosis from January 1, 2004, through December 31, 2014. The National Cancer Database includes all reportable cases from Commission on Cancer-accredited facilities and represents approximately 50% of all newly diagnosed melanoma cases in the United States. Data were analyzed from November 13, 2018, through June 9, 2019.

Exposures

MMS vs WME.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Overall survival evaluated using multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression analysis.

Results

A total of 70 319 eligible patients (52.3% male and 47.7% female; median [SD] age, 57.0 [16.2] years) were identified, including 67 085 treated with WME and 3234 treated with MMS. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression survival analysis controlling for clinical and tumor factors revealed that treatment with MMS was associated with a modest improvement in overall survival relative to WME (hazard ratio [HR], 0.86; 95% CI, 0.76-0.97). Propensity score-matched analysis of cohorts of patients treated with MMS vs WME also found modestly improved survival for those treated with MMS (HR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.68-0.98). Academic facilities were more likely to use MMS than nonacademic facilities (odds ratio, 2.03; 95% CI, 1.88-2.18).

Conclusions and Relevance

These findings suggest that Mohs surgery may provide an alternative approach to traditional WME for appropriately selected cases of AJCC-8 stage I melanoma without compromising patient survival.

Surgery and stereotactic body radiotherapy for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer: prospective clinical trials of the past, the present, and the future

Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) may be a potential alternative to surgical resection in high-risk operable patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). A number of clinical studies have been undertaken to answer this question, although the conclusion has remained undetermined. Although three randomized clinical trials have failed, currently several prospective clinical trials are ongoing on SBRT versus surgery for early-stage NSCLC. This review article was designed to overview the previous and ongoing clinical trials and to discuss the future perspectives in the comparisons.