Extended resections for the treatment of patients with T4 stage IIIA non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) (T₄N_0–1M₀) with or without cardiopulmonary bypass: a 15-year two-center experience

Introduction

It is known that stage IIIA non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a heterogeneous group of patients, often requiring variable and individualized approaches. In particular, for T4 tumors, although a complete resection is really challenging even for experienced thoracic surgeons, it remains unclear if there is a true benefit for the patients. T4 lesions are defined by local invasion of structures, such as the heart, great vessels, esophagus, trachea, carina, recurrent laryngeal nerve, vertebral body, so that they are frequently considered unresectable. Surgical attempts of resecting such tumors require advanced techniques, often including the use of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).

The dilemma to operate or not frequently arises, since more than 75% of the cases of NSCLC are diagnosed in advanced stages (IIIA) (1). Patients with locally advanced T4 NSCLC have a poor prognosis with systemic treatments, such as chemotherapy with or without radiation; the achievement of en bloc R0 resection seems to be a hopeful strategy, as it may yield a 43% 5-year survival rate (2). However, few surgical series have been reported examining separately the outcome in T4/stage IIIA NSCLC, so that the question of the value of resection of such tumors is not clearly established, for T4N_0–1 patients (3). Determination of resectability, surgical staging, and extent of pulmonary resection should be made by a multidisciplinary approach. Accordingly, highly selected patients may benefit from multimodal therapy, including surgery (4).

In this study, we retrospectively analyzed the characteristics and the outcomes of patients with clinical stage IIIA (T₄N_0–1M₀) NSCLC, who underwent an intended curative resection at two different cardiothoracic surgical centers in Europe. The main objectives of this study were to assess whether the benefits outweigh the surgical risks and if CPB was associated with worse outcome.

The study was approved by institutional ethics board of European Interbalkan Medical Center (No. 1287), while all patients had pre-operatively been through an informed-consent process where future publication of data was pre-authorized.

Methods

Patients

Data from 857 patients with locally advanced T4 NSCLC were retrospectively collected from two different institutions between 2002 and 2017. At the Cardiothoracic Department of Interbalkan Medical Center of Thessaloniki (Greece), 29 patients underwent pulmonary resections for T4 NSCLC and by the Thoracic Department of St James University Hospital of Leeds (UK), 13 patients were treated for the same reason, for a total of 42 patients.

Clinical data that were retrieved and analyzed, included demographics (age, gender), comorbidities [chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), coronary artery disease (CAD), myocardial infarction (MI), diabetes, stroke, hypertension, renal dysfunction], tumor characteristics (histology, T status, pathological stage, topography), lymph node invasion (pathological N status), organ invasion (thoracic inlet, superior vena cava, inferior vena cava, trachea, carina, pericardium, intra-pericardial pulmonary artery, left atrium, right atrium, thoracic aorta, esophagus, diaphragm, vertebra), surgical approach, resection type, use of CPB, use of neoadjuvant therapy, use of adjuvant therapy and postoperative complications [atrial fibrillation (AF), MI, stroke, pneumonia, atelectasis, respiratory failure (as defined by prolonged need for non-invasive oxygenation due to desaturation), renal failure (as defined by exceeding the baseline serum creatinine level), reoperation for bleeding].

Preoperative workup

As per routine, all patients underwent a preoperative evaluation, including staging [chest computed tomography (CT) scan, brain CT, upper abdomen CT and bone scan or brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography with CT (PET-CT scan)], flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy, respiratory mechanics tests (spirometry), lung parenchyma function tests [diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DL_CO), arterial blood gas analysis], cardiopulmonary interaction tests (stair climbing, 6-minute walk, VO₂max), transthoracic echocardiogram, routine biochemical profile and blood tests.

On clinical grounds, a few patients underwent additionally chest MRI, ventilation perfusion lung scintigraphy and vibration response imaging (VRIxp™). Mediastinoscopy or endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) was performed only in patients with a mediastinal lymph node larger than 1 cm or PET-positive. We excluded in this study patients, who had only chest wall invasion. All selected cases were discussed in a multidisciplinary team meeting involving chest physicians, thoracic surgeons, chest radiologist, clinical and medical oncologists and histopathologists; such setting is available in both centers.

Operative methods

All patients underwent general anesthesia with double lumen tube, except of cases with central airway invasion, where special ventilation techniques, namely jet ventilation, time limited apneic diffusion oxygenation or use of CPB/extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). We selected the most appropriate surgical approach according to tumor invasion: median sternotomy, posterolateral thoracotomy, clamshell or hemi clamshell, Dartevelle, Shaw-Paulson and cervical incision. The decision of using CPB was performed in selected patients intraoperatively, with peripheral cannulation sites and beating heart. In cases with invasion of great vessels or atrium, after resection, the affected structure was reconstructed by autologous or heterologous pericardial patch.

All patients were followed up initially at the tertiary center for 6 months. Subsequently, the follow-up protocol was organized by the medical oncologist; outpatient visits were planned every 3 months for the first 2 years and annually thereafter.

Statistical analysis

Statistical analysis was performed using the statistical package IMB SPSS Statistics v.20.0. All results are expressed as medians and ranges or as absolute numbers and percentages. Statistical significance was evaluated using the χ² test with P value of less than 0.05. Survival curves were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Univariate comparison was performed using a Cox proportional hazard model. Two post hoc groups, one with CPB and the non-CBP groups were analyzed separately and outcomes were compared.

Results

Patient characteristics

A summary of the demographic and clinical data recorded is listed in Table 1. There were 11 female patients (26.2%) among the 42 patients. Twelve patients were in the CPB group and 30 in the non-CPB. The median age was 65.0±12.8 (range, 28–75) years for the CPB group and 63.5±11.8 (range, 24–70) years for the non-CPB group. No statistically significant differences were found for medical comorbidities between the two groups. The median size of the tumor was 4.0±1.9 cm in the non-CPB group and 6.0±2.2 cm in the CPB group. The most common types of lung cancer were squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) (50.0%) and adenocarcinoma (35.7%). The most frequent invasion of the tumor was seen in main pulmonary artery and the superior vena cava.

Table 1 Patient demographics and comorbidities—tumor characteristics
Full table

Surgical details

The most preferable surgical approach was the posterolateral thoracotomy (61.9%). Significantly more patients of the CPB group underwent pneumonectomy as their primary lung resection (P=0.006). The surgical operation was completed in most cases without the usage of the CPB (30 vs. 12 patients). For the patients who required CBP, the preferable cannulation site was the right femo-femoral site, with mean duration 45.0±7.0 minutes. The use of the CPB was intraoperatively decided in 14 cases, but only used at the 12 cases (CPB standby in 2 cases). In all patients R0 resection was achieved according to histological reports. A small sample of surgical techniques is presented in Figures 1-3.

Figure 1 Descending aorta invasion resection and reconstruction with synthetic graft. (A) Tumor invading the wall of descending aorta; (B) the begging of end to end proximal aorta-graft anastomosis; (C) completing of proximal aorta-graft anastomosis. LUL, left upper lobe.

Figure 2 Superior vena cava (SVC) invasion resection and reconstruction with native venous-graft. (A) Tumor invading the SVC (chest MRI—coronal view); (B) handmade sketch of SVC and anonymous reconstruction with native graft constructed by saphenous vein; (C,D,E) stages of native venous-grafts construction by saphenous vein. MRI, magnetic resonance imaging.

Figure 3 Surgical field after resection of tumor invasion of thoracic spine and spondylodesis.

Postoperative complications

The postoperative outcomes are presented at the Table 2. The median length of the in overall hospital stay was similar in the two groups (8.0±4.7 days). The rate of major postoperative complications was different in the two groups. The most frequent observed complications were AF (14.3%) and atelectasis (14.3%). Blood transfusion was significantly higher in the CBP group (P=0.010). Thirty-day mortality was zero in both groups. Most of the patient received adjuvant chemotherapy (76.2%), while fewer received additionally adjuvant radiotherapy (40.5%). Hematogenous tumor dissemination of patients undergoing CPB was not observed.

Table 2 Patient postoperative characteristics
Full table

Overall survival (OS)

The overall 5-year survival was 60%, while the median OS was 22.5 months (Figure 4). Between the two groups there was no statistically significant difference in OS (P=0.353), as presented in Figure 5. We tried to identify a possible predictive factor for survival, using the Cox regression analysis by various characteristics and the results are shown on Table 3. Analysis revealed that patient age (P=0.027), preoperative COPD (P=0.001), tumor size (4.0 vs. 6.0 cm) (P=0.001), postoperative respiratory dysfunction (P=0.001) and postoperative atelectasis (P=0.036) are possible independent variables that are significant correlated with patient outcome (Figure 6).

Figure 4 Kaplan-Meier plot for the full group of participants.

Figure 5 Kaplan-Meier plot for the groups A (no CPB) and B (on CPB). CPB, cardiopulmonary bypass.

Table 3 Cox regression in survival
Full table

Figure 6 Cox proportional-hazards model (independent variables that are significant correlated with patient outcome). COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Discussion

This retrospective study was undertaken to quantify outcomes of surgical management of the primary pulmonary tumor in patients with clinical stage IIIA (T₄N_0–1M₀), using data of two different centers. In order to assess the clinical usefulness of such resections, we attempted to identify patient and tumor factors associated with survival. Such an endeavor might identify parameters that could potentially improve future patient selection. Additionally, we intended to test the hypothesis, that surgical resection with CPB is associated with worst perioperative or long-term survival compared to surgical resection without CPB.

The limited number of patients with potentially operable stage IIIA disease is a main reason why current evidence for this topic is generally limited to small single-institution studies (Table 4). T4 tumors that invade the heart, great vessels, thoracic vertebrae, or esophagus comprise a heterogeneous group of locally invasive lung cancers. Current National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines do not recommend surgery for T4 extension with N_2–3 disease (stage IIIB). However, biopsy-proven T4N_0–1 (stage IIIA) may be operable (5). Localized tumors with invasion of the aorta, pulmonary artery, left atrium, thoracic vertebrae, or esophagus represent only small subset of T4 disease.

Table 4 Review of publication for extended lung resections
Full table

Randomized data providing proof of a survival advantage in patients undergoing extended resections for these neoplasms are lacking. However, accumulated published experience seems to support the merits of a surgical approach on individualizing basis (5). We found, in agreement with literature (6), that the surgical approach was an appropriate therapeutic option in our selected patients, as the median OS was 22.5 months, and the overall 5-year survival was 60%.

The value of CPB has been reported for thoracic malignancies invading the heart or great vessels (7,8). CPB was used to resect tumor invading the aortic arch, the descending aorta, the pulmonary artery bifurcation, the left atrium, and the carina. However, few authors have reported their experience with CPB in lung cancer (9,10). In these studies authors confirmed the safety of CPB for NSCLC invading the great vessels and/or the left atrium in well-selected cases (7 patients in each of them), but they did not report long-term survival. Within the limitations of the small numbers of our subjects and no data related to the cause of deaths, we found no difference on (I) postoperative complications, (II) 30-day mortality and (III) the OS between the 12 patients underwent CBP and the 30 patients that weren’t. To our experience, CPB was not associated with cancer dissemination. Our working hypothesis is that the application of adjuvant chemotherapy played a role in suppressing possible recurrences.

Long-term outcome of patients with locally advanced lung cancer depends primarily on the completeness of resection (R0). Data reported a series of lung cancer invading the mediastinum, and observed that the 5-year survival rate was 30%, if the tumor was completely resected, whereas it was only 14%, if it was incompletely resected (11). Others made similar observations in a series of lung cancers invading the heart or great vessels, with a 5-year survival of 40%, if the tumor was completely resected and much lower if the tumor was incompletely resected (12). In another study, the completeness of surgical resection in NSCLC stage IV invading the pulmonary sulcus and spine was a statistically significant predictor for 5-year survival; patients with an R0 resection have a 69% survival compared with 0% when the resection was incomplete (13). We suggest that a detailed mapping of the lung tumor extension and a preoperational decision regarding the use of CBP, give the best results. Of the 14 patients scheduled to undergo CBP, we eventually canceled only two, as it was not necessary. We succeed in all patients complete resection of the tumor. Postoperative complications were reasonable and the 30-day mortality was zero. Additionally, in agreement with the literature (14,15), the use of CPB does not appear to increase the risk of cancer dissemination as none of our patients had evidence of intrathoracic disease 5 years after the procedure. If the tumor extent remains a problem, in a subgroup of patients re-implantation or auto-transplantation techniques can be considered for cases in which is technically feasible, as extensive pulmonary resection can thus be performed, while minimizing the loss of pulmonary reserve (16,17).

It is important to identify prognostic factors to help select optimal surgical candidates. In that regard, there have been few publications with inconclusive results. In one study patient gender, EGFR mutation, N factor, and M factor showed no statistically significant effect on survival. However, not having SCC and being in the M-better group were significantly associated with improved survival (6). Others, in univariate analysis reported that smaller tumor size, fewer pack-years of cigarettes smoked, female sex, lower T factor, N factor, and overall pathologic stage were associated with improved survival, but only female gender remained an independent predictor of survival in multivariate analysis (18). We were able to identify patient age, preoperative history of COPD, tumor size, postoperative respiratory dysfunction and postoperative atelectasis are possible independent variables correlating with patient outcome. Among them, preoperative COPD, tumor size and postoperative respiratory dysfunctions can strongly influence the OS.

There are several limitations of this study. First, because of the retrospective nature of this study, the results are based on a highly selected group of patients, so that inherent biases cannot be excluded. Second, as the incidence of this entity is low, it was difficult to make conclusions about certain subgroups, such as different histology or to distinguish outcomes achieved in patients with different sites of lung invasion. Despite these serious limitations, dome guidance helping patient selection for this kind of surgical procedure can be discerned.

In conclusion, we suggest that in patients with stage IIIA (T₄N_0–1M₀) NSCLC, the complete resection of the T₄ tumor, although challenging, can be performed in highly selected patients. Such an approach seems to result in improved long-term survival. More specific studies on this area of NSCLC probably will further enlighten this field, and may result in even better outcomes incorporating advanced systemic perioperative approaches such as modern chemotherapy, immunotherapy and improvements in radiation therapy.

Acknowledgments

None.

Footnote

Conflicts of Interest: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Ethical Statement: The authors are accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved. The study was approved by institutional ethics board of European Interbalkan Medical Center (No. 1287), while all patients had pre-operatively been through an informed-consent process where future publication of data was pre-authorized.

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