2Department of Chest Diseases, University of Health Sciences, Dr. Suat Seren Chest Diseases and Surgery Medical Practice and Research Center, İzmir, Turkey DOI : 10.26663/cts.2019.00020 Viewed : 4464 - Downloaded : 1523 Background: This study aims to evaluate the mortality and survival rates of patients undergoing pneumonectomy due to primary non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and to identify the factors which affect these variables.
Materials and Methods: This retrospective single center cohort study included a total of 250 patients who underwent pneumonectomy due to NSCLC between January 2007 and July 2015. 30- and 90-day mortality rates and survival rates of the patients were analyzed. The factors which affected survival and mortality were evaluated.
Results: The mean age was 59 (range: 35 to 77) years. The median survival was 48.1 months (95% C. I. 30.6 – 65.6 months) and five-year survival rate was 45.6%. The 30- and 90-day mortality rates were 6.4% and 7.6%, respectively. Age, nodal disease, and complete resection were factors to affect the survival (p = 0.002, p = 0.0001 and p = 0.017, respectively). Age was also effective on 30- and 90-day mortality (p = 0.004, RR: 3.3 and p = 0.006, RR: 2.5, respectively). The early rethoracotomy rate was 5.6% (n = 14) and the postoperative mortality rate in these patients was 28.6% (n = 4).
Conclusions: Although implementation of pneumonectomy due to lung cancer seems fearful, the present study found lower survival rates only depending on advanced age and N2 disease. The high levels of 30- and 90-day mortality and the increased mortality after early rethoracotomy was associated with advanced age and comorbidity. In terms of postoperative mortality, the selection of eligible patients is important in elderly patients who are candidates of pneumonectomy due to lung cancer.
Keywords : non-small cell lung cancer, pneumonectomy, survival rate, early mortality