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Background: Uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery is one of the latest development in minimal invasive thoracic surgery. It is being increasing applied in various parts of the world for the treatment of lung cancer. Although the technique has become popular, there is a lack of largescale literature addressing the safety and oncological outcomes. We aimed to describe our experience, highlighting the short-term outcomes and oncological efficacy. Methods: From July 2013 to December 2017, 441 uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic procedures were carried out in patients with primary lung cancer and no metastatic disease. The male-to-female ratio was 240:201. The median age of the patients was 63 years (range10 to 85 years). Results: The median number of mediastinal lymph node stations dissected and median number of mediastinal nodes were 5 and 14, respectively. Ten or more nodes were dissected in 93.1% of patients. All surgeries were complete R0 resection. Minor postoperative morbidity according to the Clavien-Dindo classification was 4%. Seven patients experienced major morbidity requiring intensive care management. There was no 30-day mortality. Conclusion: Uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic anatomical resection for lung cancer appears to have similar postoperative outcomes to multiport surgery in terms of short-term morbidity and oncological efficacy. Uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery can be offered as a standard of care for lung cancer surgery in centers with adequate surgical expertise. Long-term follow-up will be needed to establish the long-term oncological outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study was undertaken to assess the potential value of preoperative blood components as prognostic markers of outcome after lung cancer resection, and hence their potential to aid in the selection of patients for curative surgery. Methods: This was a single-center study on 313 patients who underwent surgery for non-small-cell lung cancer from 2006 to 2008. Data were analyzed retrospectively from a prospectively maintained thoracic database. Preoperative blood results including plasma fibrinogen levels, serum C-reactive protein, hemoglobin concentration, and platelet count were included in the analysis. Results: The mean age was 75 years, and 40% of the patients were females. The most common resection was lobectomy in 68% of patients, followed by pneumonectomy, wedge resection, and segmentectomy in 18%, 10%, and 1.6%, respectively. Patients with abnormal C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, and hemoglobin levels had a worse overall survival. Large tumor size and nodal metastasis on clinical staging was also associated with poor survival. However, on Cox regression analysis, plasma fibrinogen and nodal metastasis were the only independent predictors of survival after lung resection. Conclusions: Among the different blood markers, elevated preoperative plasma fibrinogen was an independent marker of reduced survival in patients with resected non-small-cell lung cancer, and its value in selecting patients who may benefit from surgery needs further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are limited data on the surgical management of localized and residual diseases in patients with stage IV non-small-cell lung cancer that was treated with nivolumab. Herein, we present two patients who underwent salvage thoracoscopic resection for residual diseases (left lower lobectomy and paratracheal lymph node resection, respectively) after chemotherapy and immunotherapy for stage IV adenocarcinoma. The indications, intraoperative findings, and histopathological findings are discussed in this report. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Although thoracoscopic surgery is widely performed for early-stage lung cancer, only a few small studies have evaluated the role of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery in patients with locally advanced lung cancer who had received preoperative chemotherapy. Methods Among 1655 patients who underwent anatomical lung resection for lung cancer between January 2009 and December 2014 in our institution, we retrospectively examined the short- and long-term outcomes of 110 (6.6%) who had undergone induction therapy. Thoracoscopic surgery was performed in 79 of these patients and thoracotomy in 31. Results In the thoracoscopic group, conversion to a thoracotomy was required in 4 patients. More combined resections were included in the thoracotomy group, and combined resection of large vessels or the carina was carried out only via a thoracotomy. Postoperative complications of grade 3 or above were found in 15 (13.6%) patients, and there was no significant difference in the incidence of postoperative complications between the 2 groups. The 3- and 5-year survival rates for the patients overall were 58.6% and 50.3%, respectively. Although there was no significant difference in overall outcome between the 2 groups, the patients with postoperative ypN2 status in the thoracoscopic group had a significantly better outcome than those in the thoracotomy group. Conclusion Although video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery was not suitable for central advanced lung cancer requiring angioplasty or carinal resection, it seems to be useful for patients with locally advanced lung cancer who had undergone induction therapy, especially patients with peripheral lung cancer and mediastinal lymph node metastasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The aim of this retrospective study was to review recurrence patterns of stage I non-small-cell lung cancer and identify prognostic factors for post-recurrence survival. Methods Among 940 patients with pathological stage I non-small-cell lung cancer who underwent curative resection, 261 experienced a recurrence; of these, 188 had adenocarcinoma and 62 had squamous cell carcinoma. Oligo-recurrence was defined as 1–3 recurrent lesions restricted to a single organ. Potentially curative local treatment included surgery, stereotactic radiotherapy, and photodynamic therapy. Results The median follow-up duration was 65 months (range 4–186 months). The most common site of recurrence was the lung in 145 patients, followed by mediastinal lymph nodes in 49, pleura in 30, and brain in 27. Local treatment for recurrent tumors included surgery in 59 patients, stereotactic radiotherapy in 46, photodynamic therapy in 2, and other radiotherapy in 41. Seventy-eight patients received chemotherapy only, and 35 received conservative treatment. Among 125 patients who were evaluated for an epidermal growth factor receptor gene mutation, 31 were treated with epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor. The 3- and 5-year post-recurrence survival rates were 49.1% and 33.8%, respectively. Age at recurrence, adenocarcinoma cell type, disease-free interval, epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatment, and potentially curative local treatment were independent prognostic factors for survival in multivariate analysis. Conclusions Local treatment for recurrence should be considered in selected candidates, and use of epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor I is reasonable if an epidermal growth factor receptor mutation is detected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Systemic examination for distant metastases is generally recommended for all lung cancer patients. However, this approach rarely detects distant metastases in typically resectable cT1-2N0 non-small-cell lung cancer. The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with distant metastases and develop indication criteria for preoperative systemic examination in patients with cT1-2N0 non-small-cell lung cancer, with a particular focus on computed tomography imaging of primary lesions. Methods We retrospectively reviewed non-small-cell lung cancer patients treated at our institute between 2005 and 2013. Data were extracted and compared between two groups: patients diagnosed as cT1-2N0M0 who underwent complete resection (M0 group, n = 1530) and those diagnosed as cT1-2N0M1b who received systemic chemotherapy (M1 group, n = 26). Results The median age at diagnosis was significantly lower in the M1 group (p = 0.015). Although carcinoembryonic antigen levels were significantly higher in the M1 group (p < 0.001), 42% had normal levels. Tumor diameters in lung and mediastinal windows on chest computed tomography were significantly larger, and the proportion (mediastinal/lung window tumor diameter ratio) was higher in the M1 group (p < 0.001). All 26 patients in the M1 group had a tumor diameter >15 mm and mediastinal/lung window ratio >0.75. Conclusions Preoperative systemic examination is not necessary in cT1-2N0 non-small-cell lung cancer patients when tumor diameters are ≤15 mm and mediastinal/lung window ratios are ≤0.75. According to these criteria, systemic examinations would have been reduced by 40% in our cohort. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Smoking status has not been shown to have a significant effect on 30-day mortality after potentially curative resectional surgery for non-small-cell lung cancer, and this is reflected in the guidelines of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence in the United Kingdom. Methods A validated prospective thoracic surgery database of consecutive patients undergoing potentially curative resection at a single institution was analyzed. Univariate and propensity analyses of 30-day mortality were performed. Results Univariate analysis identified 30-day mortality as significantly lower in current smokers (n = 852, 2.6%) than ex-smokers (n = 1587, 4.9%; p < 0.001). Propensity 1:1 matching of male patients resulted in 727 current smokers being matched to 727 ex-smokers. The overall balance test (χ2 = 6.1, degrees of freedom = 8, p = 0.6), indicated a good match. After propensity matching, the mortality rate was significantly higher in current smokers (p = 0.01). Conclusions Current smokers and ex-smokers are statistically different with regard to risk factors for death. This results in a skewed population of current and ex-smokers undergoing resection for non-small-cell lung cancer. Development of a risk model for 30-day mortality revealed that current smokers have a lower predicted 30-day mortality than ex-smokers, a finding that is counterintuitive. Propensity matching balanced the current and ex-smoker groups to correct for group differences. Analysis after propensity matching identified current smoking as a significant factor determining 30-day mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Surgery is the most important therapeutic modality for lung cancer. Surgical outcomes are normally reported as 30-day or 90-day mortality or 5-year survival; 10-year survival is rarely mentioned in national data or international studies. Methods Three hundred and six patients (79% male) underwent pneumonectomy, mainly for lung cancer, from January 1998 to February 2013. Their short- and long-term outcomes up to September 2014 were analyzed retrospectively. The mean age was 64 years (range 22–82 years) and 24% were aged ≥70 years. Thoracoscore was used to calculate the risk of hospital mortality. Results Operative mortality was 4.5% whereas predicted mortality was 8%. The operative mortality for cancer patients was 3.3%; the national mortality for lung cancer is 6.5%. Only 2 patients died in hospital after a pneumonectomy in the last 5 years. Half of the patients who died in hospital were ≥70 years old; 29% (4 patients) died after urgent operations for nonmalignant disease. Overall 5- and 10-year survival was 32% and 20%. Median and mean survival was 26 and 57 months, respectively. Long-term survival was better in females aged <70 years, in left pneumonectomy patients, and in those with squamous cell lung cancer. Conclusion Our mortality for pneumonectomy was 50% less than the national mortality rate and significantly lower than that predicted by the Thoracoscore for lung cancer. This confirms that pneumonectomy is still an effective modality for the treatment of lung cancer, with low operative mortality and good long-term survival, especially in younger patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim We examined the advantages of thoracoscopy over thoracotomy in terms of perioperative outcomes and toleration of adjuvant chemotherapy. Methods Between April 2010 and March 2013, 657 patients with non-small-cell lung cancer who underwent lobectomy were classified into thoracoscopy (308 patients) and thoracotomy (349 patients) groups and compared. Results The thoracoscopy group had less blood loss compared to the thoracotomy group (p < 0.001). When limiting the analysis to pathological stage I patients, the results were similar (p < 0.001). In addition, the difference in blood loss between the 2 groups was greater in patients with severe pleural adhesions. The postoperative morbidity of the thoracoscopy group was significantly less than that of the thoracotomy group (13.3% vs. 21.2%, p < 0.001), and this result was similar when analyzing the pathological stage I patients (12.6% vs. 20.6%, p = 0.001). A higher percentage of the thoracoscopy group received both the full planned course and dose of adjuvant chemotherapy compared to the thoracotomy group (84.2% vs. 65.8%, p = 0.032). Conclusions These results indicate that totally thoracoscopic lobectomy is the more beneficial surgical approach with regard to the incidence of postoperative complications and toleration of adjuvant chemotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background We investigated the factors associated with post-recurrence survival and the treatment for non-small-cell lung cancer patients with postoperative distant recurrence, especially oligometastasis. Methods We reviewed the data of 272 patients with distant recurrence who underwent resection of non-small-cell lung cancer from January 2000 through December 2011. Results The type of distant recurrence was classified as oligometastasis (n = 76, 28%) or polymetastasis (n = 196, 72%). Forty-seven (62%) patients with oligometastasis received local therapy (surgery 5, radiotherapy 9, sequential local and systemic therapy 28, chemoradiotherapy 5). Multivariate analysis revealed older age, non-adenocarcinoma, shorter disease-free interval, no pulmonary metastasis, liver metastases, bone metastases, and polymetastasis had significant associations with unfavorable post-recurrence survival. Subgroup analysis of patients with oligometastasis showed histology and disease-free interval had a great impact on survival. Smoking history and histology were associated with survival in patients with lung oligometastasis, whereas systemic treatment and longer disease-free interval were related to increased post-recurrence survival in those with brain oligometastasis. Conclusions This study showed that an oligometastatic state per se was a significant favorable factor. Optimization of personalized systemic treatment and adding local treatment are important in the management of patients with non-small-cell lung cancer and oligometastasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Synchronous multiple primary lung cancer is rare and difficult to differentiate from metastatic disease. State-of-the-art diagnostic tools may contribute to discern synchronous multiple primary lung cancer from lung cancer or other primary tumors with pulmonary metastases, thus allowing implementation of curative strategies. We report the case of a 72-year-old woman with 3 synchronous primary lung cancers. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Clear resection margins are necessary for long-term survival of patients undergoing surgical resection. We aimed to determine whether bronchial resection margin is a factor determining long-term survival in patients undergoing R0 resections for non-small-cell lung cancer. There were 2695 consecutive pulmonary resections performed between October 2001 and September 2011 in our institution; 1795 were R0 resections for non-small-cell lung cancer and bronchial margin length data were available. Benchmarking against the 7th International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer dataset was performed. Cox multivariate and neuronal network analysis was undertaken. Benchmarking failed to reveal any significant differences between our data and the 7th International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer dataset. Cox regression demonstrated that age (p < 0.001), sex (p < 0.0001), body mass index (p = 0.002), T1 stage (p = 0.0002), T3 stage (p < 0.0001), N1 stage (p < 0.001), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (p < 0.0001), squamous histology (p = 0.009), mixed adenosquamous histology (p = 0.008), and pneumonectomy (p = 0.01) were all significant determinants of long-term survival, but bronchial resection margin was not. Neuronal network analysis confirmed these findings. Bronchial resection margin length has no impact on long-term survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To develop an easy-to-use technique for EML4-ALK detection and establish the effective selection of candidates for screening.Background: We previously reported clinicopathological findings of patients with lung cancer harboring the EML4-ALK fusion gene. Anaplastic lymphoma kinase inhibitors have therapeutic effects in lung cancer patients with EML4-ALK, accounting for merely 1%–5% of lung cancers.Methods: We investigated EML4-ALK in tumors from 581 patients. EML4-ALK was detected by a reverse transcription polymerase-chain reaction and by the newly established criteria and algorithm using a fluorescence in situ hybridization method. To establish an algorithm to restrict candidates chosen for ALK fusion gene detection, clinicopathological findings as well as EGFR, ERBB2, and KRAS mutations were analyzed.Results: 8 (1.3%) tumors had EML4-ALK, EGFR, KRAS, and ERBB2 mutations, which were mutually exclusive and were detected in 191 (32.8%), 56 (9.6%), and 11 (1.8%) tumors, respectively. We screened 581 patients with tumors and another 27 who were nonsmokers or mild smokers (<20 packs per year) lacking EGFR, KRAS, and ERBB2 mutations and who had adenocarcinomas exhibiting an acinar component with moderate or poor differentiation. Of the 27 patients, 8 (29.6%) had EML4-ALK.Conclusions: We propose criteria for selecting candidates for efficient detection of the fusion gene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Impaired nutrition is an important predictor of perioperative complications in lung cancer patients, and preoperative chemoradiotherapy increases the risk of such complications. The goal of this study was to assess the effect of an immune-enhancing diet on nutritional status in patients undergoing lung resection after chemoradiotherapy. We compared the preoperative nutritional status in 15 patients with lung cancer undergoing lung resection without chemoradiotherapy and 15 who had chemoradiotherapy. Body mass index and lymphocyte counts were lower in patients who had chemoradiotherapy. Although there was no difference in the rate of postoperative morbidity between groups, the chemoradiotherapy patients were more likely to have severe complications postoperatively. After chemoradiotherapy in 12 patients, 6 received oral Impact for 5 days, and 6 had a conventional diet before surgery. Oral intake of Impact for 5 days before surgery modified the decrease in transferrin and lymphocytes after the operation. Preoperative immunonutrition may improve the perioperative nutritional status after induction chemoradiotherapy in patients undergoing lung cancer surgery, and reduce the severity of postoperative complications. These potential benefits need to be confirmed in a randomized controlled trial. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The usefulness of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance for assessing malignant pulmonary nodules was examined in 58 patients with 76 (58 malignant, 18 benign) pulmonary nodules (1.0–5.6 cm) who underwent 1.5-Tand 3-Tesla imaging and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron-emission tomography prior to surgery. The sensitivities and specificities of these techniques for discriminating benign and malignant nodules were compared. The apparent diffusion coefficients of the pulmonary nodules on 1.5-T and 3-T imaging correlated significantly. The sensitivities and specificities for discriminating benign and malignant lesions were similar among the 3 imaging techniques: 1.5-T imaging, 0.91 and 0.90; 3-T imaging, 0.88 and 0.94; positron-emission tomography, 0.94 and 0.94. The apparent diffusion coefficient on 1.5-T imaging showed a significant reverse correlation with positron-emission tomography, and the correlation between 3-T imaging and positron-emission tomography was marginally significant. Both 1.5-T and 3-T diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging modalities are equally useful for assessing malignant pulmonary nodules. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A 62-year-old man with situs inversus totalis and non-small-cell lung cancer underwent a right lower lobectomy by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. Lobectomy in a situs inversus totalis patient can be performed safely using this minimally invasive procedure. Preoperative evaluation of the pulmonary artery and veins by three-dimensional computed tomography and the bronchial tree by bronchoscopy, is essential to avoid unanticipated complications during the procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lengthening of life expectancy has led to more surgical procedures in elderly patients. The aim of this work was to determine whether age >70 years is a risk factor for pneumonectomy. All cases of pneumonectomy from January 1999 to December 2006 were retrospectively reviewed. The 40 patients aged > 70 years were compared with a group of 70 patients aged 40—68 years matched for sex, physical status, respiratory function, side of pneumonectomy, and pathologic stage. Postoperatively, significantly more older patients had atrial fibrillation (24% vs. 5.6%). There was a low incidence of respiratory complications in both groups, and reduced respiratory function did not increase respiratory morbidity. Thirty-day mortality was not significantly different (2.5% in older vs. 1.4% in younger patients), but long-term mortality rates evaluated at December 31, 2007 were 50% for those aged <70 years (35 patients) and 72.5% for the older group. Although age is a risk factor for morbidity and mortality in pneumonectomy, the risk is acceptable. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

To compare the outcome of sleeve resection or complex sleeve resection versus (Vs) pneumonectomy for lung cancer in a single unit. Between 1998 and 2006, 664 lung resections were carried out. There were 129 (19.4%) pneumonectomies and 79 (11.9%) sleeve resections; Twenty one patients (26.5%) underwent a complex sleeve resection. Operative mortality for the sleeve resections (SR) was 2.5% and for the pneumonectomies 8.53%. Overall 5-year survival after SR was 46.8% and after pneumonectomy 37.1%. The survival curves for the 2 procedures after adjusting for risk factors are different. The area under the curve is higher for the SR (Hazard ratio 1.78 C.I.: 0,92—3,46). The 5-year survival for early stages favors SR. The survival for the complex SR was not influenced by the complexity of the procedure but from the TNM stage of each individual case. Multivariate analysis of risk factors affecting survival after surgery showed: male sex Hazard ratio (HR) 1.19, 0.63—2.27(95%CI), Age 463 1.38(HR), 0.78—2.48, Pneumonectomy 1.78(HR), 0.92—3.46 and stage III 4.44(HR), 1.94—10.16(95% CI). For comparative stages survival appears to be better after sleeves, moreover male sex, sleeve resection, age younger that 63 and early TNM stage are positive predictors for survival. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Phosphorylation of proteins on serine or threonine residues preceding proline is a major regulatory mechanism in cell proliferation and transformation, which is catalyzed specifically by Pin1, a peptidylprolyl isomerase. Pin1 is overexpressed in several human cancers. The expression of Pin1 mRNA in the circulation was assessed in 26 patients with non-small-cell lung cancer who underwent surgical resection. They were randomly assigned to a pulmonary artery first ligation group and a pulmonary vein first ligation group. Pin1 mRNA expression in blood samples from patients with lung cancer, controls with benign lung disease, and healthy subjects were determined by a real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Compared to those with benign lung disease and healthy controls, Pin1 mRNA was overexpressed in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer, and the levels correlated with lymph node-positive disease and tumor stage. Expression of Pin1 mRNA in the distal part of the pulmonary vein was significantly higher than in the proximal part. Postoperative Pin1 mRNA expression was significant lower than preoperative expression. There was no significant difference in Pin1 expression between groups based on pulmonary vessel ligation. These findings suggest that Pin1 might be a useful tumor marker for cancer therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

To analyze short- and long-term results of surgery in octogenarians, we reviewed data of 96 consecutive patients aged 80 years or more who were operated on for non-small-cell lung carcinoma from 1990 to 2005. Risk factors for complications, perioperative mortality, and long-term survival were assessed by univariate and multivariate analysis. Major complications developed in 17 (17.7%) patients, leading to death in 9 (9.4%) of them. Resection of more than 1 lobe, cardiorespiratory comorbidity, PaO2 < 75 mm Hg, and CO diffusion capacity <60% were predictive of major complications; extended resection was also predictive of 30-day mortality. The overall 5-year survival rate was 38%, with a significant difference between stage I/II and stage III. In multivariate analysis only pathological stage was related to long-term survival. Surgery is feasible for octogenarians, and even patients in stage II can achieve remarkable survival. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery is increasingly accepted as an alternative to open thoracotomy and has established efficacy in the management of non-small-cell lung cancer, but the presence of extensive intrapleural adhesions has been considered a deterrent to a minimally invasive approach. We report the successful use of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery in 3 patients with history of open thoracic aortic aneurysm repair who presented with left lower lobe stage I non-small-cell lung cancer. While this approach is feasible, it is technically demanding and thus, at the present time, we recommend that its use be limited to high-volume video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery centers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anatomical segmentectomy has emerged as the procedure of choice for early-stage non-small-cell lung cancer, especially in the presence of poor cardiopulmonary reserve. The most common postoperative complications are pneumonia, persistent air leak, and rarely, vascular compromise of the remaining lobe. We report the case of a 74-year-old woman who underwent thoracotomy and left upper lobe trisegmentectomy for T1bN0Mo squamous cell carcinoma and subsequently developed infarction and hepatization of the remaining lingula. A completion left upper lobectomy was performed and the patient made a full recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 68-year-old man developed progressive vertigo, saccadic eye movements, and tremors. Computed tomography showed multiple lung nodules. Surgery was performed and the pathological diagnosis was large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma in the left upper lobe with ipsilobar metastases, and adenocarcinoma in the left lower lobe. The neurological symptoms resolved dramatically after complete resection of the tumors. Opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome associated with non-small-cell lung carcinoma is extremely rare. Surgery should not be delayed if a complete resection is expected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone is a disorder of impaired water excretion caused by the inability to suppress secretion of antidiuretic hormone. It has been commonly associated with small cell carcinoma. The association of this syndrome with squamous cell lung carcinoma has rarely been reported, with only 4 cases over the past two decades in the English literature. We describe the case of a 75-year-old Caucasian male who developed the syndrome after a right pneumonectomy for down-staged squamous cell lung cancer previously treated with neoadjuvant platinum-based chemotherapy and radiotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Placement of a single new-generation nitinol stent resulted in acute pericardial tamponade in a 70-year-old man with superior vena cava syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background: Adjuvant chemotherapy after complete surgical resection is currently the standard of care for patients with stage IB, II, or IIIA non-small-cell lung cancer. However, the generalizability of this treatment to elderly patients is controversial. We investigated the effects of adjuvant chemotherapy in patients aged over 75 years with stage IB-IIIA non-small-cell lung cancer. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 246 consecutive patients aged over 75 years with stage IB-IIIA non-small-cell lung cancer who underwent standard lung cancer surgery between January 2001 and December 2015. They were divided into 102 who had adjuvant chemotherapy and 144 who had none (control group). The outcomes were compared between the two groups, and prognostic factors were evaluated. Results: Relapse-free survival and overall survival were significantly shorter in the control group than the chemotherapy group (p = 0.006 and p = 0.008, respectively). In multivariable analyses, adjuvant chemotherapy was found to be an independent prognostic factor for relapse-free survival and overall survival (hazard ratio = 0.594, 95% confidence interval: 0.396-0.893, p = 0.012; and hazard ratio = 0.616, 95% confidence interval: 0.397-0.957, p = 0.031, respectively). After inverse-probability-of-treatment weighting adjustment using the propensity score for baseline characteristics, chemotherapy almost improved relapse-free survival and overall survival (hazard ratio = 0.652, 95% confidence interval: 0.433-0.981, p = 0.040; and hazard ratio = 0.657, 95% confidence interval: 0.429-1.004, p = 0.052, respectively). Conclusions: Adjuvant chemotherapy improved the prognosis after standard lung cancer surgery in patients aged over 75 years with stage IB-IIIA non-small-cell lung cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]