Wedge resection before lobectomy for patients with T1N0M0 non-small cell lung cancer: a propensity score matching analysis

BACKGROUND: Whether wedge resection of a tumor before lobectomy (Wed + Lob) can improve the prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has yet to be determined comprehensively. This study aimed to compare the effects of Wed + Lob with those of direct lobectomy (Lob) on survival and tumor cell dissemination in patients with T1N0M0 NSCLC. METHODS: A cohort of 813 patients with T1N0M0 NSCLC who underwent lobectomy at a single center in China was investigated. After propensity score matching, the overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) of patients were estimated using Kaplan-Meier plots. Associations between surgical strategies and patient survival were computed as hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals using Cox proportional hazards regression models. Changes in folate receptor-positive circulating tumor cells (FR+ CTCs) after lobectomy were analyzed in another cohort from our hospital. RESULTS: A total of 401 Wed + Lob cases were matched with 255 Lob cases according to their propensity scores. Although no significant differences were found in OS, multivariate analysis showed that patients with T1N0M0 NSCLC in the Wed + Lob group had significantly improved DFS (HR =0.583; P=0.012) compared to those in the Lob group. After surgery, a decrease in FR+ CTCs was observed in 21 of 23 patients (91.3%) in the Wed + Lob group and in 16 of 23 patients (69.6%) in the Lob group [mean changes: 6.10 (±7.80) FU per 3 mL vs. 1.31 (±4.39) FU per 3 mL; P=0.014]. CONCLUSIONS: Wed + Lob may improve DFS and reduce tumor cell dissemination in patients with T1N0M0 NSCLC.