Purpose: To analyze the correlation of non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) primary tumor size, independently, and the initial disease stage with the incidence of local recurrence (LR) and disease-free survival (DFS), as well as the LR operability.
Methods: The research was conducted on 114 patients operated due to NSCLC at the Institute for Lung Diseases of the Clinical Center of Serbia and the Institute for Oncology and Radiology of Serbia from January 2002 to December 2010, who developed LR during the 5-year follow-up. Diagnostic methods and surgical approaches were standard, defined by protocols. Standard statistical methods and tests were used for data analysis.
Results: Statistical analysis showed significant difference in DFS and LR incidence in first 2 postoperative years related to primary tumor size and stage. Patients with T1 tumors (vs T2 vs T3), as well as in earlier disease stage, had significantly longer DFS. LR in the first and second year after primary tumor operation occurred more frequently with larger primary tumors. Significant correlation was registered between LR operability and primary tumor size, as well as LR operability and primary tumor stage.
Conclusions: This research highlights size of the primary tumor as independent prognostic factor for patients with NSCLC. The likelihood of LR increases with larger primary tumor and higher primary tumor stages, while DFS decreases. Because larger tumors are more frequently understaged, with occult mediastinal metastases, their LR is not possible to be surgically treated.