Extent of lymphadenectomy in early stage non-small cell lung cancer by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery

Abstract

Objective To investigate the extent of lymphadenectomy in early stage non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC) by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery.Methods From January 2012 to January 2013,the clinical data of 341 patients with early stage NSCLC were retrospectively analyzed.All patients underwent thoracoscopic lobectomy and systematic lymphadenectomy.The relationship between the location of tumor and mediastinal lymph node metastasis was analyzed.Results Among the 210 patients with upper lobe tumors,the ratio of mediastinum superior lymph node metastasis was 13.8％ (29/210),whereas the ratio of inferior mediastinum lymph node metastasis (except group 7) was only 1.9％ (4/ 210) ; Among the 131 patients with lower lobe tumors,the ratio of upper and lower mediastinum lymph node metastasis was 6.9％ (9/131) and 5.3％ (7/131),respectively.Upper and lower lobes subcarinal lymph node metastasis rate was 7.6％ and 5.3％,respectively.Conclusions Lobe-specific lymphadenectomy is suitable for patients with early-stage NSCLC. Key words: Video-assisted thoracic surgery; Non-small cell lung cancer; Extent of lymphadenectomy