INTRODUCTION: Accurate staging of lymph node involvement is a critical aspect of the initial management of nonmetastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We sought to determine whether the current N descriptors should be maintained or revised for the next edition of the international lung cancer staging system. METHODS: A retrospective international lung cancer database was developed and analyzed. Anatomical location of lymph node involvement was defined by the Naruke (for Japanese data) and American Thoracic Society (for non-Japanese data) nodal maps. Survival was calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method, and prognostic groups were assessed by Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: Current N0 to N3 descriptors defined distinct prognostic groups for both clinical and pathologic staging. Exploratory analyses indicated that lymph node stations could be grouped together into six "zones": peripheral or hilar for N1, and upper or lower mediastinal, aortopulmonary, and subcarinal for N2 nodes. Among patients undergoing resection without induction therapy, there were three distinct prognostic groups: single-zone N1, multiple-zone N1 or single N2, and multiple-zone N2 disease. Nevertheless, there were insufficient data to determine whether the N descriptors should be subdivided (e.g., N1a, N1b, N2a, N2b). CONCLUSIONS: Current N descriptors should be maintained in the NSCLC staging system. Prospective studies are needed to validate amalgamating lymph node stations into zones and subdividing N descriptors.
INTRODUCTION: Accurate staging of lymph node involvement is a critical aspect of the initial management of nonmetastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We sought to determine whether the current N descriptors should be maintained or revised for the next edition of the international lung cancer staging system. METHODS: A retrospective international lung cancer database was developed and analyzed. Anatomical location of lymph node involvement was defined by the Naruke (for Japanese data) and American Thoracic Society (for non-Japanese data) nodal maps. Survival was calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method, and prognostic groups were assessed by Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: Current N0 to N3 descriptors defined distinct prognostic groups for both clinical and pathologic staging. Exploratory analyses indicated that lymph node stations could be grouped together into six "zones": peripheral or hilar for N1, and upper or lower mediastinal, aortopulmonary, and subcarinal for N2 nodes. Among patients undergoing resection without induction therapy, there were three distinct prognostic groups: single-zone N1, multiple-zone N1 or single N2, and multiple-zone N2 disease. Nevertheless, there were insufficient data to determine whether the N descriptors should be subdivided (e.g., N1a, N1b, N2a, N2b). CONCLUSIONS: Current N descriptors should be maintained in the NSCLC staging system. Prospective studies are needed to validate amalgamating lymph node stations into zones and subdividing N descriptors.
Authors: Ayodeji Adegunsoye; Justin M Oldham; Catherine Bonham; Cara Hrusch; Paul Nolan; Wesley Klejch; Shashi Bellam; Uday Mehta; Kiran Thakrar; Janelle Vu Pugashetti; Aliya N Husain; Steven M Montner; Christopher M Straus; Rekha Vij; Anne I Sperling; Imre Noth; Mary E Strek; Jonathan H Chung Journal: Am J Respir Crit Care Med Date: 2019-03-15 Impact factor: 21.405
Authors: Raymond U Osarogiagbon; Holly L Hilsenbeck; Elizabeth W Sales; Allen Berry; Robert W Jarrett; Christopher S Giampapa; Clara N Finch-Cruz; David Spencer Journal: Transl Lung Cancer Res Date: 2015-08