Long-term Surgical Outcome in Patients with Lung Cancer and Coexisting Severe COPD

 

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Abstract

Background: The functional criteria for curative surgery for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and coexisting chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) remain controversial. We aimed to clarify long-term outcomes after resection. Methods: Between January 1990 and April 2005, 36 consecutive patients with NSCLC and severe COPD underwent pulmonary resection. All had severe (30–50 % pred FEV1) or very severe COPD (30 % > pred FEV1) preoperatively. Survival, short- and long-term complications were analyzed retrospectively. Prognostic factors were also analyzed. Results: The 5-year survival rate of these patients was significantly worse than that of patients with better pulmonary function (50 % < pred FEV1) (p < 0.0001). Patients with interstitial pneumonia (IP) had a significantly poorer prognosis (p = 0.0099). With regard to long-term complications three months after surgery, 30 % of patients reported worsening of dyspnea, and 20 % experienced pneumonia recurrence. No deaths were related to COPD progression. Conclusion: Patients with stage IA NSCLC and severe COPD may undergo curative surgical resection; however, postoperative complications and long-term survival remain unsolved problems. IP is a contraindication for surgery in patients with severe COPD.

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MD, PhD Yasuo Sekine

Department of Respiratory and Vascular Surgery
Tokyo Women's Medical University Yachiyo Medical Center, Chiba

477-96 Owadashinden

Yachiyo City, Chiba

Japan 276-8524

Phone: + 81 4 74 50 60 00

Fax: + 81 4 32 26 21 72

Email: ysekine@tymc.twmu.ac.jp