Lobectomy versus limited resection to treat non-small cell lung cancer in stage I: a study of 78 cases

To compare mortality and loco-regional recurrence rates in patients treated surgically for stage I non-small cell lung cancer by either lobectomy or sublobar lung resection (pulmonary wedge) from 1994 to 1998. Seventy-eight patients who underwent lung resection for stage I non-small cell lung cancer from January 1994 to December 1998 were reviewed retrospectively. Fifty patients underwent lobectomy and 28 limited resection (pulmonary wedge). We reviewed oncologic history, tumor histology, loco-regional recurrence and tumor-related mortality during the follow-up period. Histology, lobectomies: 36 (72%) squamous cell carcinomas, 12 (24%) adenocarcinomas and 2 (4%) large cell carcinomas. Histology, wedge resection: 12 (42.8%) squamous cell carcinomas and 16 (57.2%) adenocarcinomas. Staging, lobectomies: 15 Ia (30%) and 35 Ib (70%). Staging, wedge resections: 16 Ia (57.2%) and 12 Ib (42.8%). Loco-regional recurrence: lobectomies 9 (18%) and wedge resections 4 (14.3%) plus 1 remote metastasis (3.6%). Mortality during follow-up: lobectomies 8 (16%) and wedge resections 4 (14.3%). Accumulated survival rate (in months): lobectomies 62.38 and wedge resections 63.92. The rates of loco-regional recurrence and accumulated survival in the two groups were not significantly different. The rates of loco-regional recurrence and accumulated survival in this study agree with those from other retrospective studies. We found no statistically significant differences between patients undergoing lobectomy and those undergoing sublobar resection. Wedge resection is an appropriate technique for patients with stage I non-small cell lung cancer who can not tolerate lobectomy.