Role of pneumonectomy for lung cancer in current scenario: An Indian perspective

Indian J Cancer. 2017 Jan-Mar;54(1):236-240. doi: 10.4103/0019-509X.219569.

Abstract

Background: Surgical treatment for lung cancer has evolved from pneumonectomy to lobectomy/sleeve resection around the world. Although condemned for poor outcomes, pneumonectomy may still be required in a select group of patients in developing countries. With the better patient selection, optimization of medical comorbidities, better perioperative care; pneumonectomy may show better results. Thus, there is a need to reconsider the role of pneumonectomy in patients with locally advanced lung cancer in the current scenario.

Patients and methods: The aim of this study was to analyze the demographic and clinicopathologic profile of lung cancer patients and the role of pneumonectomy at a tertiary cancer center in India. The records of patients, who underwent surgery for lung cancer at our institute from January 2011 to April 2014, were analyzed retrospectively, and various parameters in pneumonectomy were compared to lobectomy patients.

Results: Out of 48 patients undergoing major lung resections, nearly 80% patients were symptomatic at presentation and were mostly in advanced stages, thus requiring neoadjuvant chemotherapy in 45.8% cases and pneumonectomy in 41.6% patients. There was no difference in morbidity and mortality in pneumonectomy (25%, 5%) versus lobectomy (21.2%, 3.5%). Disease-free survival at 1, 2, and 3 years after pneumonectomy (71.8%, 51.4%, and 42.8%) was comparable to lobectomy (73.3%, 66.1%, and 55.6%). After neoadjuvant therapy, survival was not affected by the type of surgery.

Conclusions: In the Indian scenario, as the majority of lung cancer patients present at an advanced stage, pneumonectomy still plays a major role, and the acceptable postoperative outcome can be achieved with aggressive perioperative management.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Female
  • Humans
  • India / epidemiology
  • Lung Neoplasms / epidemiology*
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology
  • Lung Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Lung Neoplasms / therapy
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoadjuvant Therapy
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Pneumonectomy*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Tertiary Healthcare
  • Young Adult