Sub-lobar resection versus lobectomy for challenging intraoperative frozen sections in lung adenocarcinoma within 3 cm

Abstract

ObjectivesIntraoperative frozen section (FS) analysis is pivotal in guiding surgical interventions for early-stage lung adenocarcinoma. However, the challenge arises when distinguishing between Minimally Invasive Adenocarcinoma (MIA) and Invasive Adenocarcinoma (IAC) poses diagnostic difficulties. This study investigates the prognosis and clinicopathological characteristics of patients encountering this diagnostic challenge. MethodsWe conducted a retrospective analysis of 7,082 intraoperative FSs from early-stage lung adenocarcinoma cases. The cases with pulmonary nodules within 3cm and diagnosed as indeterminate FSs were included. We analyzed baseline data, computed tomography (CT) findings, and pathological characteristics. Prognostic data were obtained from patients with confirmed IAC diagnoses through final pathological examination. ResultsOut of 7,082 FSs, 551 cases presented challenges in distinguishing between MIA and IAC. Upon final pathological examination, 233 cases were identified as IAC, while 314 were classified as MIA. The median invasive pathological size in the IAC group was larger than that in the MIA group (0.6cm vs 0.3cm). 131 cases (56.2%) with IAC underwent lobectomy, while 102 cases (43.8%) underwent sub-lobar resection.Among the MIA cases, 220 cases (69.8%) underwent sub-lobar resection, while 95 cases (30.2%) underwent lobectomy. No recurrence and disease specific death was observed during the follow-up period, regardless of surgical strategy. ConclusionsIndeterminate intraoperative FSs, posing diagnostic challenges in distinguishing between MIA and IAC. Sub-lobar resection presented the same long term survival benefit compared with the lobectomy for indeterminate lung adenocarcinoma within 3cm during intraoperative FSs.