Predictors of long time survival after lung cancer surgery: A retrospective cohort study
2008

Survival After Lung Cancer Surgery

Sample size: 148 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Roth Kjetil, Nilsen Tom Ivar Lund, Hatlen Elisabeth, Sørensen Karina Søvik, Hole Torstein, Haaverstad Rune

Primary Institution: Aalesund Hospital, Norway

Hypothesis

What factors predict long-term survival after lung cancer surgery?

Conclusion

Lung cancer surgery can be performed safely in a county hospital, with age, preoperative stage, and pulmonary function being key predictors of long-term survival.

Supporting Evidence

  • The overall 30 days mortality rate was 2.7%.
  • 36.3% of patients experienced one or more complications after surgery.
  • Median survival time was 3.4 years.
  • Age ≥ 70 years predicted reduced long time survival.
  • FEV1 < 80% predicted reduced long time survival.

Takeaway

Doctors looked at patients who had lung cancer surgery to see who lived longer. They found that younger patients and those with better lung function did better.

Methodology

Retrospective review of 148 patients who underwent lung cancer surgery from 1993 to 2006, analyzing mortality and complications.

Potential Biases

Potential selection bias due to case selection by surgeons.

Limitations

The study's retrospective design may introduce selection bias, and some advanced cases were referred to other hospitals.

Participant Demographics

Mean age was 67.3 years; 32.4% female and 67.6% male.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.001 for age and p<0.01 for FEV1

Confidence Interval

95% CI: 2.4, 4.5 for median survival time

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1471-2466-8-22

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