Prognostic factors before and after recurrence of resected non-small cell lung cancer

BackgroundThe post-surgical follow-up strategy in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is still controversial. Data on factors that affect the interval between surgery and recurrence or predict survival after recurrence in NSCLC patients are still limited.MethodsFrom a group of 775 NSCLC patients who consecutively underwent curative surgery, 133 patients showing recurrence were retrospectively analyzed.ResultsRecurrence was most often seen in smokers and patients with advanced stage disease. In patients experiencing relapse, the 1- and 2-year recurrence rates were 58% and 84%, respectively. A multivariate analysis showed that patients who underwent limited surgery, had non-adenocarcinoma disease, or had metastatic lymph node involvement showed early recurrence (p-values: <0.01, 0.04, and 0.04, respectively). Among all relapsed patients, the 2-year overall survival rate after recurrence was 37%. A multivariate analysis demonstrated that patients with lymph node metastasis at the time of surgery and patients who experienced early recurrence were significantly more likely to have a shorter survival time after recurrence (hazard ratio, 1.73; p=0.03; hazard ratio, 2.56; p<0.001, respectively).ConclusionsPatients who are node-positive, show non-adenocarcinoma disease, and/or undergo limited surgery should receive careful follow-up during the first year after surgery for NSCLC. The present data provide additional information about postoperative recurrence in NSCLC patients.