Operative invasiveness does not affect the prognosis of patients with non-small cell lung cancer

Abstract

Abstract Background The relationship between operative invasiveness and the prognosis in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients who have undergone surgery has been controversial. Methods Clinical data were analyzed for 463 NSCLC patients. Operative invasiveness was defined by wound length, operation time, and the postoperative C-reactive protein (postCRP) level. The operative approach was divided into video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) and thoracotomy. Results The wound length and operation time were significantly correlated with the postCRP level (correlation coefficient (CC) = 0.39, p <  0.01; CC = 0.54, p <  0.01, respectively). The postCRP level in the VATS group was significantly lower than that in the thoracotomy group (12.2 mg/dl vs 20.58 mg/dl, p <  0.01). The relapse-free survival differed significantly based on wound length (p <  0.01), operation time (p = 0.01), CRP level (p <  0.01), and operative approach (p <  0.01). The carcinoembryonic antigen level (hazard ratio [HR], 1.58; p = 0.02), pathological stage (pStage) (HR, 2.57; p <  0.01), vascular invasion (HR, 1.95; p = 0.01), and preoperative CRP level (preCRP) (HR, 1.91; p <  0.01) were identified as significant prognostic factors for relapse-free survival in a multivariate analysis. Furthermore, the multivariate analysis showed that smoking history (HR, 2.36; p = 0.03), pStage (HR, 3.26; p <  0.01), and preCRP level were significant prognostic factors for overall survival. Conclusion Preoperative CRP level was associated with poor prognosis. Although the VATS approach might be less invasive procedure for NSCLC patients, operative invasiveness does not affect the prognosis.