Prognostic factors for the survival of surgically treated patients for non-small cell lung cancer

The survival and outcome rates of 284 patients who underwent surgical treatment for non-small cell lung cancer were assessed retrospectively Resectability rate was 94.1%, hospital mortality 3.9% (n = 11) and the mortality rates in patients who underwent pneumonectomy or lobectomy were 8.9% and 0.6%, respectively. The overall 5-year survival was 43.6%. Female gender, earlier stages of disease and a complete resection were strongly predictive for a long-term survival. Women in stage IA disease had a 5-year survival rate of 92.7%. The 5-year survival rate for patients in stages IIIA and N2 disease who underwent a complete resection was 21.9%, and 9% for those who did not undergo a complete resection. It is concluded that the best surgical results were observed in women who were operated on at an early stage of disease. A complete resection also contributed to a better outcome, even for patients in stage IIIA and N2 disease.