Purpose: To analyze the correlation of primary tumor (PT) pathological characteristics (size, stage, type and grade) and the extent of initial surgical treatment of non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with the incidence and time to local recurrence (LR) and disease-free survival (DFS), as well as to determine in what way these parameters and LR localizations affect the possibility for surgical retreatment.
Methods: The research was conducted on 114 patients with NSCLC and LR that had initial surgery in two reference institutes in Serbia from January 2002 to December 2010. PT size and disease stage were defined according to the revised 2004 WHO classification. PTs were grouped by size into 3 categories. Due to great diversity, surgical procedures were sorted into 6 operation types. Standard statistical methods and tests were used for data analysis.
Results: Statistical analyses showed significant difference in DFS and LR reoperability that were related to PT size, disease stage and the extent of initial surgery. LR localization on the chest wall was favorable for secondary surgery due to LR.
Conclusions: Squamous cell lung carcinoma relapses locally more frequently than other lung tumor types, and the commonest LR site is the chest wall. This localization provides high possibility for surgical retreatment. Adequate staging, proper indications for surgical treatment and quality surgery provide longer DFS in patients with NSCLC. All these suggest that the surgeon may be considered as the most significant factor of prognosis.