Patterns of failure and overall survival in patients with completely resected T3 no M0 non-small cell lung cancer

Background: Previous studies of patients with surgically resected non-small cell lung cancer and chest wall invasion have shown conflicting results wi th respect to prognosis. Whether high-risk subsets of the T3 NO MO populati on exist with respect to patterns of failure and overall survival has been difficult to ascertain, owing to small numbers of patients in most series. Methods and Materials: A retrospective review was performed to determine pa tterns of failure and overall survival for patients with completely resecte d T3 NO M0 non-small cell lung cancer, From 1979 to 1993, 92 evaluable pati ents underwent complete resection for T3 NO MO non-small cell lung cancer, The following potential prognostic factors were recorded from the history: tumor size, location, grade, histology, patient age, use of adjuvant radiat ion therapy (18 of 92 patients), and type of surgical procedure (chest wall or extrapleural resection), Results: The actuarial 2- and 4-year overall survival rates for the entire cohort were 48% and 35%, respectively. The actuarial local control at 4 gea rs was 94%. Neither the type of surgical procedure performed nor the additi on of thoracic radiation therapy impacted local control or overall survival . Conclusion: Patients with completely resected T3 NO M0 non-small cell lung cancer have similar local control and overall survival irrespective of prim ary location, type of surgery performed, or use of adjuvant radiation thera py. Additionally the tumor recurrence rate and overall survival found in th is study support the placement of this group of patients in Stage IIB of th e 1997 AJCC lung staging classification, (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Inc.