The Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition Phenotype is Associated with the Frequency of Tumor Spread Through Air Spaces (STAS) and a High Risk of Recurrence after Resection of Lung Carcinoma

According to the 2015 World Health Organization (WHO) lung tumor classification [1], the predominant high-grade (solid and micropapillary) subtypes are commonly defined as tumors with unfavorable prognosis in patients with resected lung adenocarcinoma [2 –6]. In addition to morphological patterns typical of high-grade tumors, tumor spread through air spaces (STAS) is a newly recognized pattern of invasion in lung adenocarcinoma [1]. Kadota et al. provided the first evidence that STAS has prognostic value in lung carcinoma, as it is a significant p redictor of recurrence in patients with stage I small (≤2 cm) lung adenocarcinoma who underwent limited surgical resection, but not in patients who underwent lobectomy [7].
Source: Lung Cancer - Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Source Type: research