Using T stage and tumor thrombosis as predictive factors for patients with resected I–IIA small cell lung cancer: a retrospective study

BACKGROUND: Surgery is recognized as an important part of treating stage I–IIA small cell lung cancer (SCLC), but few studies have explored the predictive factors for overall survival (OS) or time to tumor progression (TTP). This paper aims to explore the predictive factors related to improved overall and relapse-free survival. METHODS: Patients with stage I–IIA SCLC were reviewed between January 1st, 2014, and December 30th, 2016, at the Shanghai Chest Hospital. Basic patient characteristics and clinical data were collected, including age, sex, tumor (T) stage, pathological characteristics, and treatment. Patient follow-ups were conducted by checking medical records or phoning the patient, with survival data and instances of recurrence and/or metastasis being collected and recorded. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify the predictive factors. RESULTS: A total of 59 patients were enrolled in this study, and the median follow-up duration was 53.7 months. The 3-year disease free and 3-year OS rates were 62.5% and 75.0%, respectively. The 5-year disease free and 5-year OS rates were not reached. Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that a higher T stage [hazard ratio (HR) 3.210, P=0.048], the presence of tumor thrombosis (HR 6.021, P=0.043), and the absence of adjuvant chemotherapy (HR 3.425, P=0.059) were more reflective of shorter TTP than other factors, with the presence of adjuvant chemotherapy also correlating with improved OS. CONCLUSIONS: A patient having a T1 stage with no tumor thrombus and receiving adjuvant chemotherapy were observed as positive factors for longer periods of TTP, and adjuvant chemotherapy was a favorable predictor for the OS of patients with resected stage I–IIA SCLC.