Prognostic factors for surgically managed patients with stage II non-small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND To investigate the prognostic factors in surgically managed patients with stage II non-small cell lung cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS A retrospective analysis of clinical data of surgically managed 93 patients with stage II non-small cell lung cancer in our hospital between May 2005 and November 2009 was conducted, and prognostic factors that may impact the postoperative 5-year survival rate were statistically analyzed. RESULTS Univariable survival analysis showed that new TNM staging, total number of dissected lymph nodes, number of dissected N1 and N2 lymph nodes and N1 lymph groups, metastasis rate of N1 lymph nodes, and 10th group of lymph nodes metastatic or not, were related to the postoperative 5-year survival rate in the patients. Multivariable survival analysis showed that the metastasis rate of N1 lymph nodes and 10th group of lymph nodes metastatic or not were independent prognostic factors for the postoperative 5-year survival rate in the patients. CONCLUSION When patients with stage II non-small cell lung cancer are treated with surgery, the total number of dissected lymph nodes greater than 6, the number of dissected N1 lymph nodes over 5, N2 over 2, and the number of dissected N1 groups over 3, may improve their postoperative 5-year survival rate. The metastasis rate of N1 lymph nodes over 50%, and the metastasis of the 10th group of lymph nodes imply poor prognosis of the patients.