Unexpected extensions of non-small-cell lung cancer diagnosed during surgery: revisiting exploratory thoracotomies and incomplete resections

OBJECTIVES Only patients with a complete resection of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) may expect long-term survival. Despite the recent progress in imaging and induction therapy, a thoracotomy may remain exploratory or with incomplete resection (R2). Our purpose was to revisit these situations. METHODS A total of 5305 patients who underwent surgery for NSCLC between 1980 and 2009 were reviewed. We compared the epidemiology, pathology, causes and prognosis characteristics of exploratory thoracotomy (ET) and R2 resections. RESULTS ET and R2 resections were observed in 223 (4%) and 197 (4%) patients, respectively. The frequency of ET decreased with time, while the frequency of R2 resection remained almost stable. The indications for ET and R2 resections were not significantly different. In comparison with ET, R2 resections were characterized by a significantly higher frequency of induction therapy (22 vs 17%, P < 10−3), adenocarcinomas (49 vs 15%, P < 10−6), T1-T2 (53 vs 29%, P < 10−6) and N0-N1 extension (67 vs 42%, P = 10−6). R2 resections were also characterized by a higher rate of postoperative complications (19.1 vs 9.9%, P = 0.014), with no significant difference in postoperative mortality (6.9 vs 4.9%, P = non significant). R2 resections resulted in a higher 5-year survival compared with ET (11.1 vs 1.2%, P = 10−3). There was no long-term survivor after ET, except during the last decade. CONCLUSIONS ET and R2 remain unavoidable. In comparison with ET, R2 resection is associated with a higher rate of postoperative complications, but a higher long-term survival.