Characteristics and outcome of patients with second primary lung cancer.

Reinmuth N, Stumpf A, Stumpf P, Muley T, Kobinger S, Hoffmann H, Herth FJ, Schnabel PA, Warth A, Bischoff H, Thomas M.

Source

Thoraxklinik, University of Heidelberg, 69126 Heidelberg, Germany.

Abstract

Patients with lung cancer are at risk for developing a second primary lung cancer (SPLC). However, characteristics of patients at risk remain largely speculative. We reviewed 2816 lung cancer patients from our institution for the occurrence of SPLC. Any SPLC was categorized as synchronous when diagnosed within 2 years after first primary lung cancer (FPLC) and after direct histologic comparison of both tumours. All other SPLC were considered as metachronous. 139 patients developed a second malignancy including 69 NSCLC and 9 SCLC. The median interval for diagnosis of metachronous SPLC (n=59) after occurrence FPLC was 72 months. SPLC detected within 5 years after FPLC diagnosis had a more favorable stage distribution (p=0.02). After diagnosis of SPLC, patients had a superior median overall survival compared to controls (57.7 versus 18.1 months; p<0.0001). Interestingly, comparing only stage IV NSCLC patients, a history of FPLC was also associated with a favorable survival (median 27.4 versus 8.97 months; p=0.007). In summary, previous lung cancer treatment does not lead to impaired prognosis after diagnosis of SPLC. Improved surveillance programs beyond 5 years after FPLC treatment may result in more favorable disease stages for detected SPLC.

TimAllenMDJD

Saturday, October 13, 2012