[In what case can we abbreviate mediastinal lymph nodes dissection of peripheral small-sized lung cancer?].

UNLABELLED: We analyzed 723 cases of non small cell lung cancer (459 adenocarcinomas and 264 squamous cell carcinomas) from the view point of lymph nodes metastases, according to histological type, location of cancer and tumor size.

METHOD: Histological type was adenocarcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma. Location was divided into 8 areas [right side; 4 areas, upper lobe (RUL)/middle lobe (RML)/S6 (RS6)/basal segment of lower lobe (RBS): left side; 4 areas, upper division of upper lobe (LUD)/lingula (LLS)/S6 (LS6)/Basal segment of lower lobe (LBS)]. Tumor size was divided by centimeters, namely 0.0-1.0 cm, 1.1-2.0 cm, 2.1-3.0 cm, etc..

RESULTS

Safety size of lung cancer in which we can abbreviate mediastinal lymph nodes dissection was as follows. In adenocarcinoma, in RUL/RML/RBS 1.0 cm, in RS6 2.0 cm, in LUD 1.0 cm, in LLS/LS6/LBS 2.0 cm. In squamous cell carcinoma, in RUL 1.0 cm, in RML/RS6/RBS 2.0 cm, in LUD 1.0 cm, in LLS/LS6/LBS 2.0 cm.

CONCLUSION

In 1.0 cm or smaller non small cell lung cancer we might abbreviate mediastinal lymph nodes dissection. Moreover, in squamous cell carcinoma of (RML, LLS, right or left lower lobe) of 2.0 cm or smaller size, we might abbreviate mediastinal lymph nodes dissection.