Which N descriptor is more predictive of prognosis in resected non-small cell lung cancer: the number of involved nodal stations versus the location-based pathological N stage?

Which N descriptor is more predictive of prognosis in resected non-small cell lung cancer: the number of involved nodal stations versus the location-based pathological N stage?
Chest. 2020 Dec 19;:
Authors: Xu L, Su H, She Y, Dai C, Zhao M, Gao J, Xie H, Ren Y, Xie D, Chen C
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The eighth edition of nodal classification for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is defined only by the anatomical location of metastatic lymph nodes.
RESEARCH QUESTION: We sought to evaluate the prognostic significance and discriminatory capability of the number of involved nodal stations (nS) in a large Chinese cohort.
STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A total of 4,011 NSCLC patients undergoing surgical resection between 2009 and 2013 were identified. The optimal cut-off values for nS classification were determined using X-tile software. Kaplan-Meier and multivariate Cox analysis were used to examine the prognostic performance of the nS classification in comparison with the location-based N classification. A decision curve analysis (DCA) was performed to evaluate the standardized net benefit of nS classification in predicting prognosis.
RESULTS: All the patients were classified into four prognostically different subgroups according to the number of involved nodal stations: (1) nS0 (none positive), (2) nS1 (one involved station), (3) nS2 (two involved stations), and (4) nS ≥ 3 (three or more involved stations). The prognos...

Source: Chest - December 19, 2020 Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Xu L, Su H, She Y, Dai C, Zhao M, Gao J, Xie H, Ren Y, Xie D, Chen C Tags: Chest Source Type: research