Induction chemotherapy with cisplatin, vinorelbine, and mitomycin-C followed by surgery for patients with pathologic N2 non-small-cell lung cancer

PURPOSE: The treatment strategy for patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) involving ipsilateral mediastinal lymph nodes is still controversial. We performed a phase II feasibility study of induction chemotherapy followed by surgery for patients with pathologic N2 NSCLC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with mediastinoscopy- positive stage IIIA N2 NSCLC received 2 cycles of cisplatin 80 mg/m2, vinorelbine 25 mg/m2, and mitomycin-C 8 mg/m2. Patients without progressive disease underwent thoracotomy and lobectomy with lymph node dissections 2-4 weeks later. RESULTS: From January 2000 to July 2004, 24 eligible patients (15 men, 9 women) were enrolled. Induction chemotherapy was completed as planned in 23 patients (95.8%). Hematological toxicity was the primary grade 3/4 toxicity. Twelve (50%) patients achieved a partial response. Twenty-three patients underwent surgical resection, and complete resection was achieved in 22 patients (95.7%). There were no surgery-related deaths. Pathologic complete response in metastatic lymph nodes was achieved in 5 patients. With a median follow-up of 5.4 years (range, 2.88-7.7 years), the estimated 5-year survival was 51.8% (95% CI, 41.3-62.3) and progression-free survival was 46.6% (95% CI, 36-57.2). CONCLUSION: Induction chemotherapy followed by surgery for patients with pathologic N2 NSCLC was feasible and associated with high response to lymph node metastasis and good survival.