Postinduction therapy pulmonary function retesting is necessary before surgical resection for non–small cell lung cancer

Pretreatment-predicted postoperative diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) has been associated with operative mortality in patients who receive induction therapy for resectable non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). It is unknown whether a reduction in pulmonary function after induction therapy and before surgery affects the risk of morbidity or mortality. We sought to determine the relationship between induction therapy and perioperative outcomes as a function of postinduction pulmonary status in patients who underwent surgical resection for NSCLC. We retrospectively reviewed data for 1001 patients with pathologic stage I, II, or III NSCLC who received induction therapy before lung resection. Pulmonary function was defined according to American College of Surgeons Oncology Group major criteria: DLCO ≥50% = normal; DLCO