N2 Lymph Node Metastasis Research Articles

Relationship between Clinicopathological Factors of Breast Cancer and Lymph Node Metastasis in Young Women

Aim : To determine the incidence of lymph node metastasis in breast cancer of young women and its relationship with clinicopathologic factors. Methods : The study used an analytic observational design and a cross-sectional approach. Bivariate analysis was performed with Fisher's exact probability test to determine the association of clinicopathologic factors with lymph node metastasis. Results: N1 lymph node metastases could be found in most of the young women breast cancer patients at 42.9%, followed by N3 and N2 at 11.4% and 8.6%, respectively. On the other hand, 37.1% of patients showed no lymph node metastasis. Fisher's exact probability test showed that of the six clinicopathological factors, only tumour size was associated with lymph node metastasis with a p-value of 0.031. Conclusion : The incidence rate of lymph node metastasis in breast cancer of young women was 42.9% for N1, 11.4% for N3, and 8.6% for N2. There was a significant association between tumour size and lymph node metastasis.

Role of Pathologic Single-Nodal and Multiple-Nodal Descriptors in Resected Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

BackgroundThe 8th edition of lung cancer N staging assignment includes the location of lymph node metastasis, but does not include single- and multiple-N descriptors. Research QuestionDo the single- and multiple-N statuses stratify the prognosis of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)? Study Design and MethodsUsing the National Cancer Database, we analyzed patients with pathologically staged N1–2 NSCLC. N descriptors were classified into pathological single N1 (pSingle-N1), pathological multiple N1 (pMulti-N1), pSingle-N2, and pMulti-N2. Survival analysis was performed using Kaplan–Meier method and multivariate Cox regression models. ResultsIn the general analysis cohort, 24,531, 22,256, 8,528, and 21,949 NSCLC patients had pSingle-N1, pMulti-N1, pSingle-N2, and pMulti-N2, respectively. Patients with pMulti-N1 and pMulti-N2 had a shorter survival than those with pSingle-N1 and pSingle-N2, respectively (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.22, P < 0.0001 for N1 and 1.39, P < 0.0001 for N2). After adjusting age, sex, and histology, the HR for pSingle-N2 compared with pMulti-N1 was 1.05 (P = 0.0031). Patients with pN1 were categorized by metastatic lymph node count (1, 2, 3, 4+), showing significant prognostic differences among groups (P < 0.0001). In the sensitivity analysis cohort (limited to R0 resection, lobectomy or more, survival ≥ 30 days, ≥ 10 examined lymph nodes, and without neoadjuvant therapy; n = 34,904) and the external validation cohort (n = 708) analyses supported these results. InterpretationNSCLC patients with 1 metastatic lymph node, whether in N1 or N2 stations, had better survival than those with more than 1 lymph node involved. NSCLC patients with a single skip N2 lymph node metastasis had survival similar to patients with multiple N1 lymph nodes, and the number of lymph nodes involved in N1 resections up to ≥ 4 was sequentially prognostic.

Standardize the surgical technique and clarify the oncologic significance of robotic D3-D4 lymphadenectomy for upper rectum and sigmoid colon cancer with clinically more than N2 lymph node metastasis.

The territory of D3-D4 lymphadenectomy for upper rectal and sigmoid colon cancer varies, and its oncological efficacy is unclear. This prospective study aimed to standardize the surgical technique of robotic D3-D4 lymphadenectomy and clarify its oncologic significance. Patients with upper rectal or sigmoid colon cancer with clinically suspected more than N2 lymph node metastasis were prospectively recruited to undergo standardized robotic D3-D4 lymphadenectomy. Immediately postsurgery, the retrieved lymph nodes were mapped to five N3-N4 nodal stations: the inferior mesenteric artery, para-aorta, inferior vena cava, infra-renal vein, and common iliac vessels. Patients were stratified according to their nodal metastasis status to compare their clinicopathological data and overall survival. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine the relative prognostic significance of the five specific nodal stations. Surgical outcomes and functional recovery of the patients were assessed using the appropriate variables. A total of 104 patients who successfully completed the treatment protocol were assessed. The standardized D3-D4 lymph node dissection harvested sufficient lymph nodes (34.4±7.2) for a precise pathologic staging. Based on histopathological analysis, 28 patients were included in the N3-N4 nodal metastasis-negative group and 33, 34, and nine patients in the single-station, double-station, and triple-station nodal metastasis-positive groups, respectively. Survival analysis indicated no significant difference between the single-station nodal metastasis-positive and N3-N4 nodal metastasis-negative groups in the estimated 5-year survival rate [53.6% (95% CI: 0.3353-0.7000) vs. 71.18% (95% CI: 0.4863-0.8518), P=0.563], whereas patients with double-station or triple-station nodal metastatic disease had poor 5-year survival rates (24.76 and 22.22%), which were comparable to those of AJCC/UICC stage IV disease than those with single-station metastasis-positive disease. Univariate analysis showed that the metastatic status of the five nodal stations was comparable in predicting the overall survival; in contrast, multivariate analysis indicated that common iliac vessels and infra-renal vein were the only two statistically significant predictors (P<0.05) for overall survival. Using a robotic approach, D3-D4 lymph node dissection could be safely performed in a standardized manner to remove the relevant N3-N4 lymphatic basin en bloc, thereby providing significant survival benefits and precise pathological staging for patients. This study encourages further international prospective clinical trials to provide more solid evidence that would facilitate the optimization of surgery and revision of the current treatment guidelines for such a clinical conundrum.

Metastatic pathways to the lower zone by segment in patients with clinical T1 lower lobe non-small cell lung cancer.

Segmentectomy and mediastinal lymph node dissection (LND) may increasingly be used for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Lymph node metastasis (LNM) distribution varies by lower lobe segments; however, its segment-specific spread to the lower zone (#8, 9) (LZ) in lower lobe NSCLC is seldom reported. In total, 352 patients with clinical T1 lower lobe NSCLC who underwent lobectomy with systematic or lobe-specific LND were included for analysis between January 2006 and December 2018. Fifty-eight (16.2%) patients had LNM (pN1: 24, pN2: 34), and nine (2.6%) had LZ metastasis. LZ metastasis was significantly more frequent in tumors with diameter > 2cm, tumors without ground-glass opacity on radiological findings, left lung cancer, and basal segment lung cancer (respectively, p = 0.039, 0.006, 0.0177, 0.0024). None of the S6 NSCLC patients had LZ metastasis. Two patients with right basal segment NSCLC had LZ metastases (tumor on S10) as well as N1 lymph node and subcarinal zone metastasis. Seven (8.4%) patients with left basal segment NSCLC had LZ metastasis (tumor on S8: 3, tumor on S10: 4). Of them, three patients with left basal NSCLC had isolated LZ metastasis. The LND of the LZ can be omitted for clinical T1 patients with S6 NSCLC. In addition, the LND of the LZ may be omitted in right basal NSCLC if intraoperative confirmation of negative N1 and subcarinal zone lymph nodes is obtained; however, it is necessary for left basal segment NSCLC.

A multicenter propensity score-matched analysis of lymphadenectomy in N1-positve lung cancer.

Selective mediastinal lymph node dissection based on lobe-specific metastases is widely recognized in daily practice. However, the significance of mediastinal lymph node dissection for N1-positive tumors has not been elucidated. We retrospectively reviewed 359 patients with N1-positive lung cancer who underwent lobectomy with systematic mediastinal lymph node dissection (systematic lymph node dissection) (n=150) and lobe-specific mediastinal lymph node dissection (lobe-specific lymph node dissection) (n=209). The operative and postoperative results and their propensity score-matched pairs were compared. The factors affecting survival were assessed using competing risk and multivariable analyses. The cumulative incidence of recurrence and the cumulative incidence of cancer-specific death were not significantly different between systematic and lobe-specific lymph node dissection in entire cohort. In the propensity score-matched cohort (83 pairs), systematic lymph node dissection tended to detect N2 lymph node metastasis more frequently (55.4 vs. 41%, P=0.087). Eleven patients (13.2%) in the systematic lymph node dissection group had a metastatic N2 lymph node 'in the systematic lymph node dissection field' that lobe-specific lymph node dissection did not dissect. The oncological outcomes between patients undergoing systematic lymph node dissection (5-year cumulative incidence of recurrence, 62.1%; 5-year cumulative incidence of cancer-specific death, 27.9%) and lobe-specific lymph node dissection (5-year cumulative incidence of recurrence, 60.1%; 5-year cumulative incidence of cancer-specific death, 23.3%) were similar. The propensity score-adjusted multivariable analysis for cumulative incidence of recurrence revealed that the prognosis associated with systematic lymph node dissection was comparable with the prognosis with lobe-specific lymph node dissection (hazard ratio, 1.17; 95% confidence interval, 0.82-1.67; P=0.37). The extent of lymph node dissection can affect accurate pathological staging; however, it was not associated with survival outcome in the treatment of N1-positive lung cancer.

Clinical characteristics and prognostic analysis of SMARCA4-deficient non-small cell lung cancer.

To improve the understanding of special types of tumors, we summarized and analyzed the clinicopathological features and prognostic factors of SMARCA4-deficient non-small cell lung cancer (SMARCA4-dNSCLC). We selected 105 patients with SMARCA4-dNSCLC and 221 patients with SMARCA4-intact non-small cell lung cancer (SMARCA4-iNSCLC) by performing immunohistochemical analysis of 1520 NSCLC samples, and we assessed the patients' clinicopathological features and survival state. (1) SMARCA4-dNSCLC was significantly associated with older age, male sex, smoking history, larger invasive tumor size, higher tumor proliferation index (Ki-67), more adrenal metastases, more lymph node metastases, and few EGFR mutations (p < 0.05). The tumors were mostly negative for thyroid transcription factor-1 (TTF-1), CD34, and p40 and positive for cytokeratin 7 (CK7) in immunohistochemistry (IHC). Nineteen SMARCA4-dNSCLC patients mostly had TP53, SMARCA4, and LRP1B mutations, and 48% of them had SMARCA4 frameshift mutations. SMARCA4-dNSCLC patients have a worse prognosis than SMARCA4-iNSCLC patients (HR: 0.27; 95% CI: 0.17-0.45). The overall survival (OS) of patients with stage III SMARCA4-dNSCLC was worse than that of patients with SMARCA4-iNSCLC, and the OS of stage IV SMARCA4-dNSCLC patients was also worse than that of SMARCA4-iNSCLC patients (p < 0.01). (2) Multivariate regression analysis showed that sex (HR: 4.12; 95% CI: 1.03-16.39) and smoking history (HR: 2.29; 95% CI: 1.04-5.02) had significant effects on the survival time of SMARCA4-dNSCLC patients. In SMARCA4-dNSCLC patients without distant metastases (stage I-III), patients with stage N2 or N3 lymph node metastases (HR: 6.35; 95% CI: 1.07-37.47) had a poor prognosis. Among patients with SMARCA4-dNSCLC who were treated and had distant metastases (stage IV), male patients and patients treated with immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy showed a longer median overall survival (mOS). SMARCA4-dNSCLC has unique clinicopathological features and a shorter survival prognosis than SMARCA4-iNSCLC. The efficacy of immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy needs to be observed for longer periods.

Role of skip N2 lymph node metastasis for patients with the stage III-N2 lung adenocarcinoma: a propensity score matching analysis

PurposeRecent studies have indicated some differences in the prognosis of patients with stage III-N2 lung adenocarcinoma, and the prognosis of patients with skip N2 lymph node metastasis (SKN2) is good. This study grouped patients with stage III-N2 lung adenocarcinoma by propensity score matching (PSM) to evaluate the impact of SKN2 on the prognosis of these patients.MethodsThe clinical data for patients who underwent radical lobectomy and had a postoperative pathological diagnosis of stage III-N2 lung adenocarcinoma at our centre from 2016 to 2018 were collected, and PSM was performed at a ratio of 1:1.ResultsA total of 456 patients were enrolled in this study. After PSM, 112 patients were included in the SKN2 group, and 112 patients were included in the non-SKN2 group. When comparing the SKN2 group with the non-SKN2 group, the 3-year OS rate was (71.4% vs. 12.5%, p < 0.001), and the 3-year DFS rate was (35.7% vs. 5.4%, p < 0.001). It is further divided into four groups:single-station SKN2 (N2a1),Multi-station SKN2 (N2a2),single-station non-SKN2 (N2b1) and Multi-station non-SKN2 (N2b2).The 3-year OS and DFS rates of skip lymph node metastasis were better than those of non-skip lymph node metastasis(OS:N2a1 vs. N2b1 68.4% vs. 23.5%,p < 0.001;N2a2 vs. N2b2 73.0% vs. 7.7%,p < 0.001)(DFS:N2a1 vs. N2b1 68.4% vs. 5.9%,p < 0.001;N2a2 vs. N2b2 62.2% vs. 5.1%,p < 0.001), regardless of the number of N2 station(OS:N2a1 vs. N2a2 68.4% vs. 73.0%,p = 0.584;N2b1 vs. N2b2 23.5% vs. 7.7%,p = 0.051). On multivariate analysis, sex (p = 0.008) ,Vascular tumour thrombus(p = 0.047),size(p = 0.002)and SKN2 (p < 0.001) were independent predictors of OS.ConclusionFor patients with stage III-N2 lung adenocarcinoma, the prognosis of SKN2 patients is better than non-SKN2 patients’, and SKN2 may be used as an important factor in the N2 subgroup classification in future TNM staging.

N2 Lymph Node Metastasis Is a Useful Predictor of Recurrence in Patients With Stage III Rectal Cancer Undergoing Adjuvant Chemotherapy Using Tegafur-uracil/leucovorin.

Fluoropyrimidine therapy or oxaliplatin combination therapy is recommended for patients with stage III colorectal cancer as adjuvant chemotherapy (AC). However, the criterion for selecting these regimens is still unclear in patients with stage III rectal cancer (RC). In order to select an appropriate regimen of AC for such patients, it is needed to identify characteristics associated with tumor recurrence. The records of 45 patients with stage III RC undergoing AC using tegafur-uracil/leucovorin (UFT/LV) were retrospectively reviewed. The cut-off value of characteristics was determined using a receiver operating characteristic curve for recurrence. Univariate analyses using Cox-Hazard model for predicting recurrence were performed with clinical characteristics. Survival analysis was performed using Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test. Thirty patients (66.7%) completed AC using UFT/LV. Fifteen patients (33.3%) did not complete AC because of adverse events, tumor recurrence and others. Sixteen patients (35.6%) had recurrence. Univariate analyses revealed that lymph node metastasis (N2/N1) (p=0.002) was associated with tumor recurrence. Survival analysis showed that lymph node metastasis (N2/N1) could stratify recurrence-free survival (p<0.001). N2 lymph node metastasis can predict tumor recurrence in patients with stage III RC undergoing AC using UFT/LV.

Comparison of the Efficacy and Toxicity of Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy and Durvalumab and Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy Alone for Locally Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer With N3 Lymph Node Metastasis.

Efficacy and toxicity of concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) and durvalumab for locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (LA-NSCLC) with N3 lymph node metastasis remain unclear. We aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes of patients who received CCRT and durvalumab (durvalumab cohort) and compare their outcomes with those of patients who received CCRT alone (CCRT-alone cohort). The data of patients who had received treatment between November 2008 and February 2022 and were followed up for at least 3 months were retrospectively analyzed. Local control, progression-free survival, and overall survival were evaluated using Kaplan-Meier analysis and compared using the log-rank test. Toxicity was evaluated using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 5.0. The data of 29 patients were analyzed (median follow-up period: 22 months). Among them, 17 received CCRT alone and 12 received CCRT and durvalumab. There were 14 patients with stage IIIB and 15 with stage IIIC LA-NSCLC. The durvalumab cohort (89%) had a significantly higher 1-year local control rate than the CCRT-alone cohort (47%; p=0.035). No significant difference was observed in either progression-free or overall survival between the two cohorts. Grade ≥2 pneumonitis was observed in 6 (50%) and 7 (41%) patients in the durvalumab and CCRT-alone cohorts, respectively. CCRT with durvalumab may be effective against LA-NSCLC with N3 lymph node metastasis. The incidence of grade 2 pneumonitis was slightly higher in the durvalumab cohort than in the CCRT-alone cohort, suggesting the need for careful patient monitoring after treatment.

Micropapillary and Solid Histologic Patterns in N1 and N2 Lymph Node Metastases Are Independent Factors of Poor Prognosis in Patients With Stages II to III Lung Adenocarcinoma

IntroductionHigh-grade histologic patterns are associated with poor prognosis in patients with primary nonmucinous lung adenocarcinoma (ADC). We investigated whether the presence of micropapillary (MIP), solid (SOL), or both patterns in lymph node (LN) metastases has prognostic value. MethodsPatients who underwent lobectomy for pathologic stages II to III lung ADC with N1 or N2 LN metastases (N = 360; 2000–2012) were analyzed. We assessed overall survival (OS), lung cancer-specific cumulative incidence of death (LC-CID), and cumulative incidence of recurrence (CIR) between patients with and without MIP/SOL patterns in LN metastases. Multivariable Cox regression analysis was used to quantify the association between MIP/SOL patterns and outcomes. ResultsMIP and SOL in LN metastases were associated with a higher incidence of smoking history (p = 0.004), tumor necrosis (p = 0.013), and spread of tumor through air spaces (p < 0.0001), a higher prevalence of MIP or SOL in the primary tumor (p < 0.0001), shorter OS (5-y OS, 40% [95% confidence interval or CI: 29%–56%] versus 63% [48%–83%] for no MIP/SOL in LNs, p = 0.03), higher LC-CID (5-y, 43% [29%–56%] versus 14% [4%–29%], p = 0.013), and higher CIR (5-y, 65% [50%–77%] versus 43% [25%–60%], p = 0.057). MIP and SOL in LN metastases were independently associated with poor outcomes: OS (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.81 [95% CI: 1.00–3.29], p = 0.05), LC-CID (HR = 3.10 [1.30–7.37], p = 0.01), and CIR (HR = 2.06 [1.09–3.90], p = 0.026). ConclusionsMIP/SOL histologic patterns in N1 or N2 LN metastases are associated with worse outcomes in patients with stages II to III lung ADC. MIP/SOL histologic patterns in LN metastases can stratify patients with high-risk stages II to III lung ADC.

Relationship between prognostic impact of N3 lymph node metastasis at the root of the feeding artery and location of colon cancer

To determine whether N3 nodal involvement predicts outcomes and whether its prognostic implications vary with tumor location in patients with Stage III colon cancer (CC). We defined N3 as lymph node metastases near the bases of the major feeding arteries. We retrospectively examined recurrence rates and patterns by tumor location and sites of lymph node metastases in 57 patients with N3 CC who had undergone curative resections between January 2000 and March 2019. Survival analysis was performed to compare the prognoses of patients with and without N3 lymph node metastasis. Most N3 patients had large tumors (T ≥ 3); five had T2 disease. Recurrence occurred quickly in one patient with T2N3M0 disease. Multivariate survival analysis demonstrated that N3 lymph node metastasis is an independent predictor of poor prognosis in Stage III CC patients (P < 0.001). Categorizing N3 patients according to UICC-TNM staging system does not stratify risk of recurrence (P = 0.970). To investigate the impact of tumor location on recurrence risk, we classified N3 CC into two subtypes according to tumor location: metastasis at the base of the superior mesenteric artery in right-sided CC and inferior mesenteric artery in left-sided CC. The former was found to have a statistically significant poorer prognosis than the latter (P = 0.091). N3 is a robust prognostic marker in CC patients. Recurrence risk varies by tumor location. N3 right-sided CCs with lymph node metastasis at the base of the superior mesenteric artery have poorer prognoses than do N3 left-sided CCs.

Clinical and Biological Significances of FBLN5 in Gastric Cancer.

Abnormal FBLN5 expression levels are related to various cancer types. This study is the first to explore its clinical and biological significances in gastric cancer (GC). We used The Cancer Genome Atlas-GC (TCGA-GC) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases to identify the differential expression of FBLN5, and its association with clinical pathological characteristics was analyzed. A Kaplan-Meier plotter was used to calculate the impact of FBLN5 on GC patient prognosis, and the biological functions of FBLN5 were analyzed. In addition, we constructed a GC tissue microarray, and performed an immunohistochemical staining of FBLN5 to verify our findings. Western blotting was conducted simultaneously to confirm that FBLN5 was overexpressed in GC. We found that the high level of FBLN5 mRNA in GC was associated with a poor prognosis. High FBLN5 expression levels were significantly correlated with INFc and N3 lymph node metastasis. Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that FBLN5 expression levels and lymph node metastasis rate were independent risk factors related to GC patient prognosis, which can be combined to construct a nomogram to serve patients. Therefore, we believe that FBLN5 is significantly related to the poor prognosis of GC patients. FBLN5 is a valuable prognostic indicator to evaluate the prognosis of GC.

EP05.02-017 Prognostic Factors Following Induction Therapy for N2 Lung Cancer

Treatment for non-small cell lung cancer in patients with N2 lymph node metastasis is controversial. Our facility performs induction therapy (chemotherapy ± radiation) for N2 lung cancer or surgery when not PD. Cases with induction therapy for N2 lung cancer were examined.

Using Natural Language Processing and Machine Learning to Preoperatively Predict Lymph Node Metastasis for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer With Electronic Medical Records: Development and Validation Study.

BackgroundLymph node metastasis (LNM) is critical for treatment decision making of patients with resectable non–small cell lung cancer, but it is difficult to precisely diagnose preoperatively. Electronic medical records (EMRs) contain a large volume of valuable information about LNM, but some key information is recorded in free text, which hinders its secondary use.ObjectiveThis study aims to develop LNM prediction models based on EMRs using natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning algorithms.MethodsWe developed a multiturn question answering NLP model to extract features about the primary tumor and lymph nodes from computed tomography (CT) reports. We then combined these features with other structured clinical characteristics to develop LNM prediction models using machine learning algorithms. We conducted extensive experiments to explore the effectiveness of the predictive models and compared them with size criteria based on CT image findings (the maximum short axis diameter of lymph node >10 mm was regarded as a metastatic node) and clinician’s evaluation. Since the NLP model may extract features with mistakes, we also calculated the concordance correlation between the predicted probabilities of models using NLP-extracted features and gold standard features to explore the influence of NLP-driven automatic extraction.ResultsExperimental results show that the random forest models achieved the best performances with 0.792 area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) value and 0.456 average precision (AP) value for pN2 LNM prediction and 0.768 AUC value and 0.524 AP value for pN1&N2 LNM prediction. And all machine learning models outperformed the size criteria and clinician’s evaluation. The concordance correlation between the random forest models using NLP-extracted features and gold standard features is 0.950 and improved to 0.984 when the top 5 important NLP-extracted features were replaced with gold standard features.ConclusionsThe LNM models developed can achieve competitive performance using only limited EMR data such as CT reports and tumor markers in comparison with the clinician’s evaluation. The multiturn question answering NLP model can extract features effectively to support the development of LNM prediction models, which may facilitate the clinical application of predictive models.

Outcomes of Irreversible Electroporation for Perihilar Cholangiocarcinoma: A Prospective Pilot Study

PurposeTo investigate the safety and efficacy of percutaneous or open irreversible electroporation (IRE) in a prospective cohort of patients with locally advanced, unresectable perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (PHC). Materials and MethodsIn a multicenter Phase I/II study, patients with unresectable PHC due to extensive vascular involvement or N2 lymph node metastases or local recurrence after resection for PHC were included and treated by open or percutaneous IRE combined with palliative chemotherapy (current standard of care). The primary outcome was the number of major adverse events occurring within 90 d after IRE (grade ≥3), and the upper limit was predefined at 60%. Secondary outcomes included technical success rate, hospital stay, and overall survival (OS). ResultsTwelve patients (mean age, 63 y ± 12) were treated with IRE. The major adverse event rate was 50% (6 of 12 patients), and no 90-d mortality was observed. All procedures were technically successful, with no intraprocedural adverse events requiring additional interventions. The median OS from diagnosis was 21 mos (95% confidence interval, 15–27 mos), with a 1-y survival rate of 75% after IRE. ConclusionsPercutaneous IRE in selected patients with locally advanced PHC seems feasible, with a major adverse event rate of 50%, which was below the predefined upper safety limit in this prospective study. Future comparative research exploring the efficacy of IRE is warranted.

A modified pathological N1 classification strategy based on the systematic dissection of N1 nodes for non-small cell lung cancer

The Tumor, Node, Metastasis (TNM) staging system has been adopted by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) and the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) for approximately 50 years. The N1 descriptor has rarely been modified since it was first proposed. Nevertheless, heterogeneity of the N1 disease should be prioritized because the survival outcomes vary greatly in N1 cohort. It has been discovered that prognostic differences exist between various patterns of N1 lymph node metastasis in previous studies. However, the absence of stations 13/14 lymph nodes data has always been an urgent problem to be solved. On the premise of complete intrapulmonary lymph node retrieval, based on the clinical experience our team had accumulated, we used subcategories within the N1 descriptor based on the location of involved N1 lymph nodes. We defined new N1a as involvement of peripheral zone lymph nodes (stations 12-14), and new N1b as involvement of hilar zone lymph nodes (stations 10-11). This new system could improve the ability to identify the heterogeneity of N1 disease. We propose that this modified classification strategy can be used as a more effective N1 descriptor.

Tumor Size and N2 Lymph Node Metastasis Are Significant Risk Factors for Early Recurrence in Completely Resected Centrally Located Primary Lung Cancer Patients.

In centrally-located lung cancer treatment, it is difficult to attain a sufficient resection margin. It is important to investigate recurrent styles in centrally-located lung cancer patients. Primary lung cancer located at the hilar area that requires pneumonectomy or sleeve lobectomy is defined as centrally-located lung cancer. Early recurrence was defined as that within 1 year after surgery. This study included 43 centrally-located lung cancer patients. Ten patients underwent pneumonectomy and 33 underwent sleeve lobectomy. Eleven patients experienced early recurrence. Non-squamous cell carcinoma (p=0.012), tumor size>64 mm (p<0.001) and pathological N2 (p=0.012) were significant predictors for early recurrence by univariate analysis. Also, tumor size >64 mm (p=0.006) and pathological N2 (p=0.019) were independent predictors by multivariate analysis. Non-squamous cell carcinoma, tumor size and pathological N2 were significant predictors of early recurrence in centrally-located lung cancer. The type of surgical procedure did not affect recurrence development.

Clinical study on the effects of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on lymph node ratio, prognosis, and survival analysis of stage ⅢA-N2 non-small cell lung cancer

Objective: To investigate the effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCT) on the lymph node ratio (LNR) of patients with stage ⅢA-N2 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and analyze the relationship between LNR and prognosis. Methods: The data of 128 patients with stage ⅢA-N2 NSCLC admitted to the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery of the First Affiliated Hospital of Hebei North University from January 2013 to December 2018 were retrospectively collected. The patients were divided into two groups according to the treatment method. The patients in the observation group (64 cases) were treated with NCT and surgery, and the patients in the control group (64 cases) were treated with surgery. Lymph node metastasis and survival were observed in the two groups. Subgroups were divided according to LNR and N2 lymph node status, and survival analysis was performed for each subgroup. Univariate and multivariate analysis were conducted for the observation group. Results: The number of metastatic lymph nodes, the proportion of patients with positive lymph nodes, and the rate of lymph node metastasis in the observation group were lower than those in the control group,3.8±2.1 vs 4.9±2.4,92.2% vs 100%,19.1% vs 22.4% respectively (all P<0.05). Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in the observation group were better than those in the control group (both P<0.05). Both the observation and control subgroups with low LNR had better PFS and OS than the subgroups with high LNR (both P<0.05). Patients in the observation group with non-multi-site N2 lymph node metastasis had better PFS and OS (both P<0.05). Univariate analysis of observation group showed that patients with low LNR had better 2-year PFS and OS(both P<0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that the higher the LNR, the greater the risk of death (HR=2.178,95%CI: 1.025-4.626,P=0.043) and progression (HR=2.130,95%CI: 1.123-4.038,P=0.021). Conclusion: NTC could improve the prognosis and reduce LNR of patients with stage ⅢA-N2 NSCLC, and LNR was expected to be a prognostic indicator.

Chemotherapy and Surgical Resection for N1 Positive Non–small Cell Lung Cancer: Better Than Expected Outcomes

N1-positive (T1-3, N1, M0) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) represents a minority distribution (∼8%) of the approximately 234,000 diagnosed cases per year. As such, there is a paucity of modern high-quality data regarding outcomes following surgically-resected, stage N1-positive NSCLC. Randomized controlled trials from more than a decade ago have demonstrated a modest 5.4% survival benefit with adjuvant chemotherapy but have included heterogenous patient populations and stage distributions. Large database analyses have questioned the role of perioperative chemotherapy in resected patients with N1 disease, but without much granular detail regarding staging, quality of surgery, and chemotherapy. This single-institution study sought to evaluate the role of perioperative chemotherapy, specifically in N1-positive NSCLC patients. Data for all patients with surgically resected N1-positive NSCLC (T1-3, N1, M0) between 2006 and 2016 were collected for this study. Patients who underwent pneumonectomy were excluded from analysis. A retrospective chart review was conducted, and comprehensive clinicopathologic data were collected relative to staging, surgery, pathologic review, and perioperative oncology treatment. After exclusion criteria were applied, 148 patients with surgically resected, N1-positive disease (T1-3, N1, M0) remained for analysis. The majority of patients underwent lobectomy (75.0%), of which 55.4% underwent minimally invasive resection. There were no differences in postoperative complications, length of stay, number of lymph nodes sampled, or mortality associated with the surgery only and surgery with adjuvant therapy subgroups. 107 patients (72.3%) received adjuvant therapy, and this was associated with higher 5-year overall survival (62.8%) and disease-free survival (45.1%) than patients who underwent surgery only (33.9% overall survival at 5 years, P = 0.01; 22.4% disease-free survival at 5 years, P = 0.04). The presence of multistation N1 nodal metastases in patients was associated with lower 5-year overall survival (22.7%) and disease-free survival (5.6%) than patients with single-station N1 nodal metastasis (60.4% overall survival at 5 years, P = 0.003; 46.0% disease-free survival at 5 years, P < 0.001). On multivariable analysis, receiving any adjuvant chemotherapy was associated with improved overall survival and disease-free survival (Overall Survival HR 0.47, P < 0.01 | Disease-Free Survival HR 0.46, P <0.01). Multistation N1 disease was associated with significantly worse disease-free survival (HR 2.11, P = 0.04). Perioperative chemotherapy was associated with improved survival in N1-positive NSCLC, and the potential magnitude of benefit exceeded 25% in this study. Patients with single-station N1 lymph node metastasis were observed to have better disease-free survival.

Predictive value of radiological features on spread through air space in stage cIA lung adenocarcinoma.

BackgroundSpread through air space (STAS) is a risk factor for disease recurrence in patients with stage IA lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) who undergo limited resection. Preoperative prediction of STAS could help intraoperative surgical decision-making in small LUAD patients. The aim of the study was to evaluate the predictive value of radiological features on STAS in stage cIA LUAD.MethodsA case-control study was designed through retrospective analysis of the radiological features of patients who underwent curative surgery for LUAD with a clinical tumor size ≤3 cm. Univariable and multivariable analyses were used to identify the independent risk factors for STAS. The predicted probability of STAS was calculated by a specific formula. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to determine a cut-off value with appropriate specificity while maintaining high sensitivity for STAS positivity.ResultsSTAS was frequently observed in acinar predominant (P<0.001), micropapillary predominant (P<0.001) and solid predominant (P<0.001) tumors and was significantly associated with larger pT size (P<0.001), presence of micropapillary component (P<0.001), lymphovascular invasion (LVI) (P<0.001), visceral pleura invasion (VPI) (P<0.001), both N1 and N2 lymph node metastasis (P<0.001) and ALK rearrangement (P<0.001). STAS-positivity was significantly associated with the presence of cavitation (P=0.047), lobulation (P=0.009), air bronchogram (P<0.001), and vascular convergence (P=0.016) and was also associated with greater maximum tumor diameter (P<0.001), maximum solid component diameter (P<0.001), maximum tumor area (P<0.001), consolidation/tumor ratio (CTR) (P<0.001), tumor disappearance ratio (TDR) (P<0.001) and computed tomography (CT) value (P<0.001). Multivariable analysis showed that STAS was associated with air bronchogram (P=0.042), maximum tumor diameter (P=0.015), maximum solid component diameter (P=0.022) and CTR (P<0.001). The ROC curve showed that the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.726 in the model for predicting STAS, with a sensitivity and specificity of 95.2% and 36.8%, respectively.ConclusionsSTAS-positive LUAD was associated with air bronchogram, maximum tumor diameter, maximum solid component diameter and CTR. These radiological features could predict STAS with excellent sensitivity but inferior specificity.