Wedge resection is an acceptable treatment option for radiologically low-grade lung cancer with solid predominance.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to determine the clinical characteristics for predicting low-grade cancer in radiologically solid predominant non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and compare the survival outcomes of wedge resection with those of anatomical resection for patients with and without these characteristics.

METHODS

Consecutive patients with clinical stages IA1-IA2 NSCLC showing radiologically solid predominance ≤2 cm at 3 institutions were retrospectively evaluated. Low-grade cancer was defined as the absence of nodal involvement and blood vessel, lymphatic and pleural invasion. The predictive criteria for low-grade cancer were established by multivariable analysis. The prognosis of wedge resection was compared with that of anatomical resection for patients who met the criteria, using the propensity score-matched analysis.

RESULTS

Among 669 patients, multivariable analysis showed that ground-glass opacity (GGO) (P < 0.001) on thin-section computed tomography and an increased maximum standardized uptake value on 18-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (P < 0.001) were independent predictors of low-grade cancer. The predictive criteria were defined as GGO presence and maximum standardized uptake value ≤1.1 (specificity: 97.8%, sensitivity: 21.4%). In the propensity score-matched pairs (n = 189), overall survival (P = 0.41) and relapse-free survival (P = 0.18) were not significantly different between patients who underwent wedge resection and anatomical resection among those who fulfilled the criteria.

CONCLUSIONS

The radiologic criteria for GGO and a low maximum standardized uptake value could predict low-grade cancer, even in solid-dominant NSCLC sized ≤2 cm. Wedge resection could be an acceptable surgical option for patients with radiologically predicted indolent NSCLC showing a solid-dominant appearance.