The prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer patients according to endobronchial metastatic lesion

To evaluate the prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients according to endobronchial metastatic lesion (EML), especially those not identified on positron emission tomography or computed tomography. We evaluated progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) according to the presence of EML in patients with NSCLC who were diagnosed at a tertiary hospital between January 2010 and December 2019. A total of 364 patients were enrolled in this study. EML was found in 69 (19.0%) patients with NSCLC. In the patients with EML versus the patients without EML, median PFS was 7.0 (3.5-13.5) and 9.5 (5.5-17.5) months (P = 0.011), and median OS was 12.0 (6.0-30.0) versus 20.0 (10.0-39.0) months (P = 0.016), respectively. Median PFS and OS rates were highest in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) (+) and EML (-) patients and lowest in EGFR (-) and EML (+) patients (P < 0.001). By multivariate cox regression analysis, PFS in overall patients with NSCLC was significantly associated with EML, EGFR mutation, performance status, and pleural effusion. NSCLC patients with EML had worse prognoses of PFS and OS than patients without EML.

Automated summary

The presence of endobronchial metastatic lesion (EML) is associated with a poorer prognosis in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), particularly in those without detectable lesions on PET or CT scans. This study evaluated the progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in NSCLC patients with or without EML. The results showed that patients with EML had shorter median PFS and OS compared to those without EML. Additionally, EGFR mutation status, performance status, and pleural effusion were also significant factors affecting PFS in NSCLC patients.