Surgical Prognosis of Synchronous Multiple Primary Lung Cancer: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Clin Lung Cancer. 2021 Jul;22(4):341-350.e3. doi: 10.1016/j.cllc.2020.10.022. Epub 2020 Nov 5.

Abstract

Background: We evaluated the long-term prognosis of synchronous multiple primary lung cancer (SMPLC) patients after surgical treatment and explored prognostic factors for overall survival (OS).

Materials and methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed regarding the surgical prognosis of SMPLC. A literature search was performed using online databases. All studies were rigorously categorized following the 8th edition of the tumor, node, metastasis classification (TNM) staging rules for multiple lung cancers: SMPLC and multifocal ground-glass/lepidic (GG/L) lung cancers. Five-year OS after surgery was pooled, and hazard ratios (HRs) for prognostic factors were synthesized. Specific subgroup analysis and sensitivity analysis were conducted (PROSPERO registration CRD42019142420).

Results: An analysis of 26 studies including 1788 patients was performed. The pooled 5-year OS was 45% (95% confidence interval [CI], 37-53) of true SMPLC patients and 62% (95% CI, 57-67) of patients with pathologic stage I disease, which was different from the 5-year OS of 93% (95% CI, 85-100) of patients with multifocal GG/L lung cancers. Poor prognostic factors for SMPLC were lymph node metastasis (HR = 2.36; 95% CI, 1.75-3.20; P < .001) and pneumonectomy (HR = 2.96; 95% CI, 1.36-6.45; P = .006], whereas histology (HR = 1.11; 95% CI, 0.82-1.50; P = .508), laterality (HR = 1.16; 95% CI, 0.93-1.44, P = .190), sublobar resection (HR = 1.29; 95% CI, 0.90-1.84; P = .159), and adjuvant therapy (HR = 1.07; 95% CI, 0.64-1.80; P = .791) were not found to influence the outcome.

Conclusion: The long-term prognosis of SMPLC patients after surgery is acceptable, especially in patients with early-stage disease. Sublobar resection can be applied, although pneumonectomy should be avoided. Advanced criteria are needed to diagnose SMPLC and distinguish it from multifocal GG/L lung cancer to perform accurate surgical evaluation.

Keywords: Lung carcinoma; Multifocal; Overall survival; Prognostic factor; Surgery.

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology
  • Lung Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Lymphatic Metastasis / pathology
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / diagnosis
  • Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / pathology
  • Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / surgery*
  • Pneumonectomy / methods*
  • Prognosis
  • Survival Rate
  • Time Factors