Postoperative Complications and Cancer Recurrence: Impact on Poor Prognosis of Lower Lobe Cancer.

BACKGROUND

Previous reports suggest that lung cancer in the lower lobe is associated with a poorer prognosis than upper lobe disease. However, the reason remains controversial. We evaluated the relationship among the affected lobe, postoperative infectious complications, and cancer recurrence in patients who underwent lobectomy for clinical stage I lung cancer.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 422 cases of resected lung cancer. We recorded the postoperative complications that developed within 30 days after surgery. The covariates included in the outcome analysis were patient demographic variables, surgical approach, laterality, affected lobe, tumor size, histologic type, tumor grade, pleural lavage cytology, pleural invasion, lymphovascular invasion, and lymph node metastasis.

RESULTS

Lower lobectomy was associated with significantly poorer recurrence-free (excluding nonspecific death) and overall survival than upper lobectomy. According to a stepwise multiple Cox proportional hazards analysis, lower lobectomy, lymph node metastasis, tumor grade, and pleural invasion were independent predictors of recurrence. The following postoperative complications were significantly associated with cancer recurrence and predominantly developed after lower lobectomy: any grade ≥3 complications (n = 61), space/organ surgical site infection of any grade (n = 55), and any infection requiring antibiotics (n = 61).

CONCLUSIONS

The current study revealed a significant relationship among the site of resection (upper or lower lobe), cancer recurrence, and occurrence of infectious complications. We must clarify the role of preventing infectious complications in improving the early- and long-term outcomes of lower lobe cancer.