Anatomic segmentectomy for early stage non-small cell lung cancer

Abstract

Anatomic segmentectomy is alternative to lobectomy for the surgical treatment of selected patients with early stage non-small cell lung cancer. Segmentectomy can reserve more pulmonary function in such patients. Emerging evidence suggests that segmentectomy may offer survival outcomes approaching that of lobectomy for lung cancer patients whose disease meets the following criteria: stage IA disease with no regional lymph node metastasis; tumor up to 2 cm in diameter; located in the periphery of lung; and predominantly ground-glass appearance on CT imaging. Compare with wedge resection, segmentectomy obtained the best results. Nevertheless, the evidence is currently still limited, and the above criteria are met only in a minority of patients. Large randomized trials are underway to define the clinical role of segmentectomy, and results are eagerly anticipated. Until that time, lobectomy should still be regarded as the standard therapy for patients with early stage non-small cell lung cancer.