Abstract
Atelectasis was reported as a favorable prognostic sign of pulmonary carcinoma; however, the underlying mechanism in those patients is not known. In this study, we aimed to investigate prospectively the potential impact of atelectasis and/or obstructive pneumonitis (AO) on survival and the relation between atelectasis and some laboratory blood parameters. The study was conducted on 87 advanced stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Clinical and laboratory parameters of patients at first presentation were recorded, and patients were divided into two groups according to the presence of AO in thorax computed tomography (CT). Survival was calculated using Kaplan-Meier and univariate Cox's regression analyses. Laboratory parameters that might be related with prolonged survival in atelectasis were compared using chi-square, Student's t, and Mann-Whitney U tests. Of the patients, 54% had stage IV disease, and AO was detected in 48.3% of all cases. Overall median survival was 13.2 months for all cases, 10.9 months for patients without AO, and 13.9 months for patients with AO (P = 0.067). Survival was significantly longer in stage III patients with AO (14.5 months versus 9.2 months, P = 0.032), but not in stage IV patients. Patients with AO in stage III had significantly lower platelet counts (P = 0.032) and blood sedimentation rates than did those with no AO (P = 0.045). We concluded that atelectasis and/or obstructive pneumonitis was associated with prolonged survival in locally advanced NSCLC. There was also a clear association between atelectasis and/or obstructive pneumonitis and platelets and blood sedimentation rate.
Highlights
Despite the emerging developments in the diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer in recent years, it is still the most lethal among all cancers
In this study we aimed to investigate prospectively the potential impact of atelectasis and/or obstructive pneumonitis on survival and to investigate possible underlying conditions that might be related to prolonged survival in non-small cell lung cancer
The results of our study show that atelectasis was associated with prolonged survival, especially in locally advanced lung cancer
Summary
Despite the emerging developments in the diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer in recent years, it is still the most lethal among all cancers. In order to understand the pathobiology of lung cancer and to predict survival better, several prognostic factors have been investigated in several studies [1]. In a previous retrospective study, we showed that atelectasis was associated with prolonged survival [2]. A recent study by Dediu and co-workers focused on the favorable prognostic significance of atelectasis in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and pointed out the role of atelectasis in TNM staging [3]. Atelectasis is accepted as a negative prognostic sign in the previous and recent TNM staging systems [4,5]. In this study we aimed to investigate prospectively the potential impact of atelectasis and/or obstructive pneumonitis on survival and to investigate possible underlying conditions that might be related to prolonged survival in non-small cell lung cancer
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
