T4 Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Research Articles

Staging and resection of lung cancer with minimal invasion of the adjacent lobe☆

Correct staging, optimal resection type, and prognosis for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with invasion of the adjacent lobe through the fissure have seldom been reported. We retrospectively evaluated 351 completely resected NSCLC patients between 1994 and 2004. Of these, 152 patients had T2 and 139 had T3 NSCLC confined in one lobe and 60 patients had T2 NSCLC that shows a limited growth through the interlobar fissure into the adjacent lobe (NSCLC-ALI). Types of resections performed in patients who have NSCLC-ALI were: pneumonectomy in 40, bilobectomy in 10, and lobectomy plus partial adjacent lobe resection (LPR) in 10. Survival rates of all patients were determined and factors affecting the survival were evaluated by univariate and multivariate analyses. A multivariate survival analysis of NSCLC-ALI patients including the resection type as a prognostic factor was also performed. Survival of the patients with NSCLC-ALI was not statistically different from those with T3 disease (p=0.67, log rank test) but was significantly poorer than remaining patients with simple T2 disease (p=0.049, log-rank test). T status was found as a prognostic factor at multivariate analysis too (p=0.037). The survival of patients who underwent pneumonectomy was significantly worse than the patient group who underwent bilobectomy or LPR (p=0.04). There was no statistically significant difference between survival of the patients who underwent LPR and the patient group who underwent pneumonectomy or bilobectomy (p=0.16). Hospital mortality was 6.6% (4/60) and they all underwent a pneumonectomy. During follow-up there was no local recurrence encountered in patients in LPR group. The prognosis of NSCLC with limited invasion of an adjacent lobe was found to be similar with that of T3 tumors. A resection type lesser than a pneumonectomy may be considered in these tumors.

Prognostic Factors in Resected Satellite–Nodule T4 Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

The 1997 non-small cell lung cancer staging revisions assigned a T4 descriptor to satellite nodules in the primary tumor lobe. We reviewed our experience of satellite-nodule T4 non-small cell lung cancer following these revisions and evaluated prognostic factors for this group. All patients who underwent resection of non-small cell lung cancer between April 1997 and June 2005 with satellite nodule(s) confirmed at pathologic examination were identified from our institutional Lung Tumor Registry. Case notes and pathology reports were reviewed and data collected on possible prognostic factors. Survival was modeled using the Kaplan-Meier method, and survival differences between groups were analyzed using the log-rank test. From 1,276 non-small cell lung cancer patients who underwent resection, 137 were staged pT4, and 35 were T4-satellite nodules. Median follow-up was 25 months (range, 1 to 102 months). Median main tumor size was 3.0 cm (range, 1 to 9.8 cm). Adenocarcinoma or bronchioloalveolar carcinoma was the predominant histologic diagnosis (n = 28; 80%). One-, 3- and 5-year survival was 86%, 69%, and 57%, respectively; median survival was 68 months. During the same period, 137 patients undergoing resection for all T4 lesions had a 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival of 68%, 53%, and 18%, respectively. Adenocarcinoma or bronchioloalveolar carcinoma histologic diagnosis (adenocarcinoma or bronchioloalveolar carcinoma versus squamous, 75% versus 67% 3-year survival; p = 0.0026), female gender (66% versus 49% for males, 5-year survival; p = 0.041), and absence of vascular invasion (no invasion versus vascular invasion, 74% versus 20% 5-year survival; p = 0.0101) were significant predictors of better survival. Survival for resected T4 non-small cell lung cancer with satellite nodule(s) in the primary lobe is better than for other T4 lesions, and the T4 descriptor may unduly upstage these cases. The current T4 descriptor represents a heterogeneous population.

Current status and future directions of surgery for lung cancer in China

Current status and future directions of surgery for lung cancer in China

Invited commentary

In 1997, Dr Clifford F. Mountain [1Mountain C.F. Revisions in the international system for staging lung cancer.Chest. 1997; 111: 1710Crossref PubMed Scopus (4478) Google Scholar] reviewed survival data on a combined total of 5,319 patients, and he proposed multiple revisions in the staging system of lung cancer. These revisions were subsequently adopted by the American Joint Committee on Cancer Staging and Union Internationale Contre le Cancer. Despite these improvements, significant variability still exists within stage groups. The issue of “multifocal” nonsmall cell lung cancer is particularly difficult to address not only because such cases are uncommon, so that their natural behavior is largely unknown and only based on small retrospective series, but also because the terminology used varies from one country to another, and often from one investigator to the other. For example, should these cases be reported as primary lung cancers with satellite nodules? In this case I would concur with the authors that the prognosis after complete surgical resection is better than the T4 designation would indicate. Alternatively, should they be reported as multifocal tumors that happen to be located in the same lobe and in which case, other sites will likely show up during mid-term and long-term follow-up? This article which provides a rigorous analysis of resected patients with multifocal nonsmall cell lung cancer illustrates very well the limitations inherent in the study of these patients. From my perspective, one important message of this article [2Port J.L. Korst R.J. Lee P.C. Kansler A. Kerem Y. Altorki N.K. Surgical resection for multifocal (t4) non-small cell lung cancer: is the T4 designation valid?.Ann Thorac Surg. 2007; 83: 397-401Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (37) Google Scholar] is that one should not make a clinical judgment based solely on preoperative imaging, because satellite lesions identified on computed tomography are often benign, and even if they turn out to be malignant, surgery still provides the best therapeutic option. Surgical Resection for Multifocal (T4) Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Is the T4 Designation Valid?The Annals of Thoracic SurgeryVol. 83Issue 2PreviewThe current international staging system for lung cancer designates intralobar satellites as T4 disease. In this study, we sought to determine the impact of multifocal, intralobar non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) on patient survival and its potential relevance to stage designation. Full-Text PDF

Stage T1 Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer: Preoperative Mediastinal Nodal Staging with Integrated FDG PET/CT—A Prospective Study

To prospectively evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of integrated fluorine 18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) and computed tomography (CT) (PET/CT) for the preoperative diagnosis of mediastinal nodal metastasis in stage T1 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with surgical and histologic results as reference standards. Institutional review board approval and informed consent were obtained. From June 2003 to February 2005, 150 patients (89 men and 61 women; mean age, 59 years) with stage T1 NSCLC at stand-alone CT underwent integrated PET/CT and surgical staging. Two observers (one radiologist and one nuclear medicine physician) evaluated prospectively and in consensus the mediastinal nodes by analyzing both PET (functional) and CT (anatomic) images. Nodal stages were determined by using the American Joint Committee on Cancer staging system and surgical and histologic findings as the reference standard. Statistical evaluation of malignant lymph nodes was performed on per-nodal-station and per-person bases. A total of 568 mediastinal nodal stations were evaluated. Nodes were positive for malignancy in 34 (23%) of 150 patients and 55 (10%) of 568 nodal stations. For depiction of malignant nodes, the respective sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of integrated PET/CT were 42% (23 of 55), 100% (513 of 513), 100% (23 of 23), 94% (513 of 545), and 94% (536 of 568) on per-nodal-station basis and 47% (16 of 34), 100% (116 of 116), 100% (16 of 16), 87% (116 of 134), and 88% (132 of 150) on a per-patient basis. Integrated FDG PET/CT provides high specificity and positive predictive value of mediastinal nodal staging in stage T1 NSCLC, although the sensitivity is low.

Pulmonary resections for T4 non-small cell lung cancer with support of cardiopulmonary bypass

We read with much interest the article ‘Extended pulmonary resections of advanced thoracic malignancies with support of cardiopulmonary bypass’ by Wiebe et al. [1]. The authors presented in an exciting way their experience with extremely difficult surgical treatment of the pulmonary malignancies infiltrating the heart or great vessels. Such kind of surgery obviously deserves the highest level of expertise. The authors are especially congratulated for the results of treatment of sarcomas which are known for the resistance for chemotherapy and radiotherapy, the radical operation being the only curative solution in these patients. The 5-year survival of 62.5% in this group may indicate the way that kind of tumor should be managed more often in the future. Our concern, however, is themanagement of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer. There were three patients in the presented group, all of them T4, according to Table 2. In such group the rate of N2 involvement is very high, so the need for the thorough mediastinal staging is generally agreed upon. The authors state that all patients with NSCLC underwent cervical mediastinoscopy. This is surprising that the tracheal infiltration by pT2 nodes, which ought to have been easily discovered during mediastinoscopy, was unexpectedly found during the operation. As the authors wrote that one-third patients underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy, it would be very interesting to know what was the method of restaging in this patient. It would also be interesting to know if N2 disease was excluded during mediastinoscopy in the other two patients. The indications for use of CPB in three patients with NSCLC were emergent in one patient and unexpected in two patients. In these patients there was an infiltration of the main pulmonary trunk (patient 2), left atrium (patient 4) and

Sleeve Lobectomy Versus Pneumonectomy: Tumor Characteristics and Comparative Analysis of Feasibility and Results

Sleeve lobectomy (SL) seems to have better results than pneumonectomy. Some authors propose to extend its indications. The aim of this study was to compare postoperative results, locoregional recurrence, and survival after sleeve lobectomy and pneumonectomy in focusing on right upper lobe cancer. From 1984 to 2002, 973 lung resections were performed for T1, T2, and bronchial T3 right upper lobe non-small cell lung cancer. There were 756 lobectomies (L group), 151 pneumonectomies (RP group), and 66 sleeve lobectomies (SL group). The RP group was further divided with regard to intrapulmonary lymph node involvement. Pneumonectomy 1 (RP1) was a group of N0, intralobar N1, and skip metastasis involvement (N0-N2). Pneumonectomy 2 (RP2) was a group of extralobar N1 and nonskip metastasis involvement (N1-N2). Postoperative results were compared among SL, L, and RP groups. Survival was compared between the two homogeneous groups for oncologic characteristics (SL, RP1). Statistical comparison of 5-year actuarial survival showed a significant difference favoring SL (SL: 72.5%/ RP1: 53.2%; p = 0.0025). Postoperative mortality was higher after RP (L: 2.9% / SL: 4.5%/ RP: 12.6 %). Significant factors limiting SL were tumor size, extralobar N1, and main bronchus involvement (p = 0.000026, 0.0002, and 0.005, respectively). Immediate and long-term survival appears better after sleeve lobectomy than right pneumonectomy for comparable stages of right upper lobe cancer. For frequency to increase by systematic attempt at SL, limited by large tumors and extralobar N1 involvement, the only way should be after favorable response to induction chemotherapy.

Tumor Size Is a Determinant of Stage Distribution in T1 Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Despite renewed interest in early detection of lung cancer, the relationship between tumor size and survival remains controversial. The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between size and stage in patients with T1 (< or = 3.0 cm) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). A retrospective review of a lung cancer database from 1995 to 2003 identified 503 patients with completely resected invasive NSCLC with tumors < or = 3 cm. All clinical and pathologic characteristics were recorded. Univariate associations between nodal status and other prognostic factors were explored by chi2 and t tests. The independent effect of tumor size > 2 cm vs < or = 2 cm on the risk of nodal disease was analyzed using a logistic regression model. Of the 503 patients, 324 patients (64.4%) had stage IA disease, 52 patients (10.3%) had stage IB disease, 37 patients (7.4%) had stage IIA disease, 15 patients (3%) had stage IIB disease, 43 patients (8.6%) had stage IIIA disease, 24 patients (4.8%) had stage IIIB disease, and 8 patients (1.6%) had stage IV disease. One hundred patients (19.9%) had nodal metastases. The mean (+/- SD) tumor size of cases without nodal disease was 1.90 +/- 0.67 cm, compared to 2.18 +/- 0.69 cm for node-positive tumors (p = 0.0003; 95% confidence interval [CI] for mean difference, 0.13 to 0.43). Forty-eight of 308 patients (15.6%) with smaller carcinomas (< or = 2.0 cm) compared to 52 of 195 patients (26.7%) with carcinomas > 2.0 cm had nodal metastases (p = 0.002). Exploratory multivariate analysis revealed that only tumor size (< or = 2.0 cm [referent] vs > 2.0 cm) affected nodal status and thus stage (adjusted odds ratio, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.3 to 3.1; p = 0.002). Primary invasive NSCLC > 2.0 cm was twice as likely to have nodal metastases than carcinomas < or = 2.0 cm. Our results suggest that in lung cancer smaller lesions may represent earlier stage disease. These results also suggest the need for further subclassification by tumor size within the current International Union Against Cancer/American Joint Committee on Cancer stage I, with tumors < 2 cm in size contained in a separate substage. This refinement may help to better clarify which patients might benefit from novel adjuvant or neoadjuvant therapeutic interventions.

Resection of Locally Advanced (T4) Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer With Cardiopulmonary Bypass

Resection of T4 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) on cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) has rarely been reported in the literature. Hence, we have reviewed our experience in the role of CPB for the surgical treatment of locally advanced NSCLC. All patients undergoing lung resection for bronchogenic carcinoma on CPB in our institution between January 1998 and June 2004 were reviewed. Seven patients underwent lung resections on CPB for bronchogenic carcinoma during the study period. Cardiopulmonary bypass was performed for tumors invading the subclavian artery down to the aortic arch (n = 2), the descending aorta (n = 1), or the origin of the left pulmonary artery with the left atrium (n = 2). All patients were discharged home after 9 to 21 days (median, 15 days). In the long term, 2 patients are alive without recurrence 17 and 25 months after their operations, and 3 are alive with recurrence 8, 13, and 54 months postoperatively. Two additional patients required CPB while undergoing carinal resection for difficulty ventilating the left lung. Both patients had a difficult postoperative course, but were eventually discharged from hospital. One patient died without recurrence 6 months later, and the other is alive without recurrence after 72 months. This study confirms the safety of CPB for NSCLC invading the great vessels and/or the left atrium in well-selected patients, and its utility when pulmonary edema develops during carinal resection. Further studies, however, are required to confirm long-term survival.

Video-assisted wedge resection and local radiotherapy for peripheral lung cancer in high-risk patients: The Cancer and Leukemia Group B (CALGB) 9335, a phase II, multi-institutional cooperative group study

This study examined the feasibility of thoracoscopic wedge resection and radiotherapy for clinical T1 lesions in patients with compromised cardiopulmonary status. In this phase II, prospective, multicenter, cooperative group trial, high-risk patients had one or more of the following risk factors: forced expiratory volume in 1 second less than 40%, carbon monoxide diffusing capacity in lung less than 50%, and maximum oxygen consumption less than 45 mm Hg. Patients underwent video-assisted wedge resection followed by local (56 Gy) radiotherapy. The primary end point was the proportion of patients whose disease could be completely resected and who received radiotherapy without treatment complications. Between September 1995 and September 1999, a total of 65 patients were accrued, of which 58 were eligible (52% male, median age 69 years). Pathologic staging resulted in upgrading to T2 or greater in 16 of 58 cases (28%) and in reassessment as benign in 10 of 58 cases (17%). Conversion to thoracotomy was required in 10 cases (17%), including 1 of 10 benign T1-size lesion (10%), 4 of 35 non-small cell lung cancer T1 lesions (13%), and 5 of 14 non-small cell lung cancer T2 lesions (31%). Resection margins were positive in 5 patients: 6% of T1 and 23% of T2. Surgery was aborted in 2 cases (3.5%), and operative mortality was 4%. Overall operative failure rates of video-assisted wedge resection were 20% for benign T1-size lesions, 22% for T1 non-small cell lung cancer, 21% for all T1 lesions, 50% for T2 non-small cell lung cancer, and 29% for all lesions in this study (clinical T1). Prolonged air leaks occurred in 10%, pneumonia in 6%, and respiratory failure in 4%. Thirty-one patients were eligible for radiotherapy; 3 of them refused, and 1 died before treatment. Among the 28 patients who received radiotherapy, severe dyspnea was noted in 3 patients (11%) and moderate pneumonitis in 4 (14%). Clinical staging in high-risk patients is often inaccurate (45% difference from pathologic staging). Intention to treat clinically staged T1 disease by video-assisted wedge resection is associated with a high failure rate. Pathologically staged T1 lesions can be successfully resected in 75% of cases; however, narrow resection margins remain a concern.

Is T2 non-small cell lung cancer located in left lower lobe appropriate to upstage?

In the TNM classification, patients with T2 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have heterogeneous factors. The efficacy of surgery for T2 disease remains unsatisfactory. We retrospectively reviewed 268 T2 patients with non-small cell lung cancer for whom a curative approach had been attempted between January 1994 through December 2003. All patients were subjected to lobectomy, including dissection of hilar and mediastinal lymph nodes contained in pathologically proven adenocarcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma. The overall survival rates at 5 and 7 years were 58.4% and 48.5%, respectively. Five-year survival of patients with a tumor in the left lower lobe (LLL) was 38.8%; other lobe, 61.6%. Primary tumor distribution in the LLL was significantly associated with a poor survival in T2 NSCLC. In univariate analysis, tumors size less than 4 cm, tumor in the left lower lobe, histological differentiation, lymph node involvement were significantly associated with prognosis. Multivariate analysis showed that tumor in the left lower lobe (P=0.0159), histological differentiation (P=0.0071), and lymph node involvement (P=0.0266) were found to be independent prognostic factors in cases of T2 disease. In cases where the primary tumor without well differentiation is in the LLL, surgery for T2 NSCLC should be considered carefully.

EXTENT OF MEDIASTINAL LYMPH NODE DISSECTION FOR CLINICAL T1 NON-SMALL CELL LUNG CANCER

The present study was designed to determine the extent of lymph node dissection for clinical T1 non-small cell lung cancer without negatively influencing curability. The study included 192 cases with clinical T1 non-small cell lung cancers who underwent lobectomy with mediastinal lymphadenectomy. Among 69 cases with right upper lobe tumors, metastasis was found in subcarinal lymph node in one case only. No metastasis was found in subcarinal node in cases free of metastasis in hilar and/or superior mediastinal nodes. Among 33 cases with right lower lobe tumors, metastasis was detected in the superior mediastinal node only in cases with metastasis in hilar and/or subcarinal nodes. Among 51 cases with left upper lobe tumors, no metastasis was found in the subcarinal node. Among 22 cases with left lower lobe tumors, metastasis was found in the superior mediastinal nodes only in cases with metastasis in hilar and/or subcarinal nodes. We propose the following scheme for the extent of mediastinal node dissection. Dissection of mediastinal node for clinical T1 non-small cell lung cancer cannot be omitted. But, 1) for upper lobe tumors, subcarinal lymphadenectomy could be omitted if no metastasis is found in hilar and superior mediastinal nodes based on gross and microscopic examination of frozen sections. 2) Similarly, for lower lobe tumors, superior mediastinal lymphadenectomy could be omitted if no metastasis is detected in the hilar and subcarinal nodes.

Radical En Bloc Resection of a T4 Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Invading the Thoracic Spine

INTRODUCTION: The role of surgical management in T4 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains controversial. Treatment is usually palliative, yet a certain proportion of patients may benefit from curative treatment. We report on radical en bloc resection of a right upper lobe (RUL) NSCLC invading the 3rd and 4th thoracic vertebrae.

Visceral pleural involvement in nonsmall cell lung cancer: prognostic significance

A tumor of any size that invades the visceral pleura is classified in the T2 category; however, the definition of the visceral pleural involvement has remained somewhat ambiguous. It is unclear whether the T2 category includes the p2 status alone or incorporates the extent of the p1 status. We retrospectively analyzed the survival of 474 patients with T1 and T2 nonsmall cell lung cancer to evaluate the influence of the degree of visceral pleural involvement (p0, p1, and p2) on the prognosis and to clarify the definition of the visceral pleural involvement. The 5-year survival rates according to the degree of visceral pleural involvement were 68.0% in p0 (n = 345), 43.9% in p1 (n = 110), and 54.9% in p2 (n = 19; p0 versus p1, p = 0.0004; p0 versus p2, p = 0.013; and p1 versus p2, p = 0.61). The degree of visceral pleural involvement (p0 versus p1/p2) was a significant independent prognostic factor from tumor size and lymph node involvement, by multivariate analysis (relative risk = 1.47, p = 0.033). The prognosis of pN0 patients with p1 and tumor size 3 cm or less was significantly poorer than that of those with p0 and tumor size 3 cm or less (p = 0.0004), and the prognosis of patients with p1 and tumor size more than 3 cm was significantly poorer than that of those with p0 and tumor size more than 3 cm (p = 0.024). The degree of visceral pleural involvement (p0 versus p1/p2) is an important component of the lung cancer staging system. Tumors with p1 and p2 status should be regarded as representing visceral pleural involvement and T2 disease.

Results of surgical treatment of T4 non-small cell lung cancer.

Because of location and invasion of surrounding structures, the role of surgical treatment for T4 tumors remains unclear. Extended resections carry a high mortality and should be restricted for selected patients. This study clarifies the selection process in non-small cell T4 tumors with invasion of the mediastinum, recurrent nerve, heart, great vessels, trachea, esophagus, vertebral body, and carina, or with malignant pleural effusion. From 1977 through 1993, 89 patients underwent resection for primary non-small cell T4 carcinomas. Resection was regarded as complete in 34 patients (38.2%) and incomplete in 55 patients (61.8%). Actuarial survival time was calculated and risk factors for late death were identified. Overall hospital mortality was 19.1% (n=17). Mean 5-year survival was 23.6% for all hospital survivors, 46.2% for patients with complete resection and 10.9% for patients with incomplete resection (P=0.0009). In patients with complete resection, mean 5-year survival for patients with invasion of great vessels was 35.7%, whereas mean 5-year survival for invasion of other structures was 58.3% (P=0.05). Age, mediastinal lymph node involvement, type of operative procedure, and postoperative radiotherapy did not significantly influence survival. In certain T4 tumors complete resection is possible, resulting in good mean 5-year survival especially for tumors with invasion of the trachea or carina. High hospital mortality makes careful patient selection imperative.

P-709 Surgical treatment of T4 non-small cell lung cancer with invasion of mediastinal structures

P-709 Surgical treatment of T4 non-small cell lung cancer with invasion of mediastinal structures

P-724 Surgical treatment of T4 non-small cell lung cancer invading mediastinal structures

P-724 Surgical treatment of T4 non-small cell lung cancer invading mediastinal structures

Survival and prognostic factors of surgically resected T4 non-small cell lung cancer

Category T4 nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) encompasses heterogenous subgroups. We retrospectively analyzed the survival of patients with surgically resected T4 NSCLC to evaluate the evidence for prognostic implications according to the subgroups of T4 category, nodal status, and resection completeness. Seventy-six patients with T4N0-2M0 NSCLC were divided into three subgroups within the T4 category: 24 patients with the tumor invading the mediastinal organs (mediastinal group), 16 with a malignant pleural effusion or dissemination (pleural group), and 36 with satellite tumor nodules within the ipsilateral primary tumor lobe (satellite group). Complete resection was possible in 47 patients (61.8%). The pathologic N statuses were N0 in 28, N1 in 13, and N2 in 35 patients. The overall survival of the 76 patients was 19.1% at 5 years. The overall 5-year survivals according to the three subgroups of the T4 category were as follows: mediastinal group, 18.2%; pleural group, 0%; and satellite group, 26.7% (mediastinal/satellite versus pleural, p = 0.037). Factors significantly influencing the overall 5-year survival were the pathologic N status (N2 versus N0-1, p = 0.022) and the completeness of resection (complete versus incomplete, p = 0.0001). A multivariate survival analysis demonstrated that the pathologic N status and the completeness of resection were significant independent predictors of a poorer prognosis even after adjusting for the subgroup of the T4 category. Resectable T4N0-1 NSCLC that is not due to pleural disease deserves consideration of aggressive surgical resection with expected 5-year survival of about 20%.

Expression of the MTA1 mRNA in advanced lung cancer

The MTA1 gene is a recently identified metastasis-associated gene which has been implicated in the signal transduction or regulation of gene expression. We examined the mRNA expression levels of the MTA1, the human homologue of the rat mta1 gene in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Expression of MTA1 messenger RNA was evaluated by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in 74 non-small cell lung carcinoma samples using LightCycler. The data was analyzed in reference to clinicopathological data. There was no relationship between MTA1 gene expression and age and gender. MTA1/GAPDH mRNA level in stage II-IV NSCLC (3.465+/-3.675) was significantly higher than the level in stage I NSCLC (1.614+/-2.434, P=0.0153). MTA1/GAPDH mRNA levels in T4 NSCLC (4.377+/-4.169) was significantly higher than the level in T1 NSCLC (1.966+/-2.148, P=0.0351) and in T2 NSCLC (2.048+/-1.899, P=0.0269), respectively. MTA1/GAPDH mRNA level in NSCLC with lymph node metastasis (4.242+/-3.758) was significantly higher in NSCLC without lymph node metastasis (P=0.0169). Our results show that the expression of the MTA1 gene is closely related to invasiveness and metastasis in NSCLC. The gene MTA1 could thus potentially provide information on the mechanism of cancer invasion and metastasis.

Characteristics and prognosis of resected T3 non-small cell lung cancer

T3 tumors can be divided into several subgroups depending on the type of anatomical structure invaded: chest wall, mediastinal pleura, or main bronchus. The aim of this study was to analyze the characteristics and prognosis of each subgroup of T3 tumors. The results of surgical treatment were retrospectively analyzed for 261 patients with T3 non-small cell lung cancer invading either the mediastinal pleura or parietal pericardium by direct extension (mediastinal pT3, n = 68), or main bronchus (bronchial pT3, n = 68), or chest wall (chest wall pT3, n = 125) that were operated on between 1984 and 1996. Complete resection including radical mediastinal lymph node dissection was intended in all patients. One patient had segmentectomy, 91 had lobectomy (34.9%), and 169 had pneumonectomy (64.8%). One hundred and fifty-eight patients received adjuvant radiation therapy and 7 patients received both adjuvant chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Actuarial survival curves were drawn using the Kaplan-Meier method and risk factors for late death were identified. In-hospital mortality was 6.1%. Follow-up was 98% complete. Global 5-year survival was 28%, with survival being not significantly different among the three subgroups: 34.9%, 30.6%, and 22.5% (p = 0.19) in the bronchial pT3, mediastinal pT3, and chest wall pT3 subgroups, respectively. Resection margins were microscopically invaded in 33 patients (12.6%). Seventy-four patients had N1 involvement (28.4%) and 78 patients had N2 involvement (29.8%). N0 involvement was more prevalent in the chest wall pT3 subgroup, whereas N1 involvement was more prevalent in the bronchial pT3 subgroup and N2 involvement was more prevalent among patients with mediastinal invasion. Pathologic factors influencing the 5-year survival were tumor size (p = 0.03) and N involvement (p = 0.003). Histology, type of surgical resection (lobectomy versus pneumonectomy), and use of adjuvant therapy did not influence survival significantly. Five-year survival was not significantly different among the three subgroups of pT3 non-small cell lung cancer, although bronchial pT3 tumors tended to have a better prognosis and chest wall pT3 tumors tended to have a worse prognosis. The pathologic characteristics of each pT3 subgroup seems different. Further research is warranted to explore the pathologic and biological factors influencing prognosis for each pT3 subgroup.