Segmentectomy for clinically early‐stage primary squamous cell carcinoma of the lung

BACKGROUND: Squamous cell carcinoma of the lung—the second most common subtype of lung cancer—has a poorer prognosis than lung adenocarcinoma. However, in contrast to lobectomy, the oncological outcomes after segmentectomy for primary squamous cell carcinomas remain unknown; hence, this study investigated these outcomes. METHODS: Patients who underwent lobectomy or segmentectomy for clinically node‐negative primary lung squamous cell carcinoma with a whole tumor size of ≤ 30 mm on preoperative computed tomography scan during April 2010 to December 2020 were included in this study. The cumulative incidence of recurrence (CIR) among all included patients and propensity score‐matched patients were compared using the Gray method. Multivariate analysis using propensity scores and surgical procedures was performed using the Fine and Gray method. RESULTS: Overall, 230 patients were included in this study; of these, 172 (74.8%) underwent lobectomy and 58 (25.2%) underwent segmentectomy. No significant differences were observed in the CIR between patients who underwent lobectomy and those who underwent segmentectomy (5‐year rate 18.1% vs. 14.2%; p = 0.787). Moreover, no significant differences in CIR were observed between the propensity score‐matched patients who underwent lobectomy (n = 43) and those who underwent segmentectomy (n = 43) (8.6% vs. 8.0%; p = 0.571). Multivariable analysis was performed for CIR using the propensity score; it revealed that segmentectomy was not a significant predictor of worse CIR (hazard ratio, 0.987; p = 0.980). CONCLUSIONS: Segmentectomy may be feasible for treating clinically early‐stage lung squamous cell carcinoma; its oncological outcomes are similar to those of lobectomy.