Sublobar resection versus lobectomy in solid-type, clinical stage IA, non-small cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND Recent studies have demonstrated that sublobar resection is not inferior to lobectomy for peripheral early lung cancer with ground-glass opacification. However, the effect of sublobar resection on solid-type early lung cancer is controversial. The aim of this study was to compare clinical outcomes of patients who have undergone sublobar resection or lobectomy for solid-type, early-stage, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS This study was a retrospective review of the records of patients who underwent lobectomy or sublobar resection between March 2000 and September 2010 for clinical stage IA NSCL. Patients with pure ground-glass opacities or death within 30 days after surgery were excluded. Disease-free interval, survival, and prognostic factors were analyzed. RESULTS Thirty-one patients and 133 patients underwent sublobar resection and lobectomy, respectively. There were significant differences in age (P < 0.001), cardiovascular disease (P = 0.001), and diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) (P < 0.001). The patients with lobectomy had a significantly longer disease-free interval (P < 0.001) and survival (P = 0.001). By multivariate analysis, sublobar resection (P = 0.011), lymphatic vessel invasion (P = 0.006), and number of positive lymph nodes (P = 0.028) were predictors for survival. Sublobar resection (P < 0.001), visceral pleural invasion (P = 0.002), and lymphatic vessel invasion (P < 0.001) were predictors for disease-free interval. CONCLUSIONS Lobectomy should remain the standard surgical procedure for solid-type, clinical stage IA, NSCLC.