The authors aimed to determine factors that predicted survival after return of non-small cell lung cancer.

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common form of lung cancer. In cases of cancer recurrence (return), NSCLC can reoccur at different sites in the body from the primary site or can be limited to a local region. Advances in therapy mean that patients now have better survival chances following recurrence of NSCLC. 

The aim of this study was to identify factors that may effect survival after recurrence in NSCLC patients.

234 patients were used in this study who had undergone surgery for NSCLC with an average follow-up time of 55 months. The average survival time after recurrence was 21 months. After 3-years the post-recurrence survival rates were 33% and after 5-years were 19.9%.

In patients who had a performance score (measures patients general well-being and activities of daily life) of 1 (only restricted in regards to physically strenuous activity), the risk of experiencing worse survival post-recurrence was over 3 times more likely compared to patients who were fully active. In patients who had a performance score of 2 (capable of self-care but unable to carry out any work activities) the risk of experiencing worse survival post-recurrence was nearly 8 times more likely compared to fully active patients.

Compared to those who experienced recurrence after 2 years, those who experienced recurrence between 1-2 years after treatment had 1.88 times increased risk of shorter survival times, and those who experienced recurrence less than 1 year after treatment had greater than 2-fold increased risk. 

Patients who experienced recurrence in 2 organs had an 89% increased risk of experiencing shorter survival times and patients who experienced recurrence in 3 organs were nearly three times as likely to experience shorter survival times compared to patients who experienced recurrence in 1 organ.

The authors concluded that poor performance scores, recurrence within 2 years after surgery and recurrence in more than one organ are associated with poorer survival outcomes following recurrence.

Patient follow-up was inconsistent and may have led to biased results in terms of detecting recurrent lesions.

If you are considering surgery and have concerns regarding cancer recurrence please consult your doctor.