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Tumor subclassification provided no additional survival benefit in lung adenocarcinomas
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Overall and 5-year survival rates are similar between lung cancer patients with minimally invasive adenocarcinoma and those with adenocarcinoma in situ, according to recent findings.
These results call into question the need for subtype classifications in these tumors, the researchers wrote.
In the systematic analysis, Madhusmita Behera, PhD, associate director of research in the department of hematology and medical oncology at Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, and colleagues conducted a comprehensive search of published studies collected through electronic databases, including Medline, Embase and Cochrane.
Madhusmita Behera
The researchers identified 18 studies published between 2011 and 2014 for inclusion in the analysis. The combined studies included 863 patients; 451 of these were classified as having adenocarcinoma in situ and 344 were categorized as having minimally invasive adenocarcinoma. One of the studies provided collective data on patients with adenocarcinoma in situ and minimally invasive adenocarcinoma (n=68). The median age of the patient population was 67.5 years (61% female; 43% smokers). The median size of the tumors was 1.3 cm.
The researchers found no statistically significant difference in the DFS and OS rates between the two subtype groups. The 5-year OS for the entire population was 97.3%. For patients with adenocarcinoma in situ, the 5-year OS was 97.5% vs 96% for minimally invasive adenocarcinoma patients (
The 5-year DFS for the entire study population was 97.7%. Patients with adenocarcinoma in situ had a 97% DFS vs. 96.7% DFS in patients with minimally invasive adenocarcinoma (
“Some researchers have advocated that adenocarcinoma in situ and minimally invasive adenocarcinoma should have separate categorization,” Behera said in a press release. “Our analysis demonstrates that these carcinomas, especially when the tumor is 3 cm or less in size, are associated with excellent survival outcomes; therefore, tumor subclassification into adenocarcinoma in situ and minimally invasive adenocarcinoma may not provide additional prognostic information.”
For more information:
Behera M. Lung adenocarcinoma staging based on 2011 IASLC/ATS/ERA classification: A pooled analysis of adenocarcinoma in-situ and minimally invasive adenocarcinoma. Presented at: 2014 Chicago Multidisciplinary Symposium in Thoracic Oncology; Oct. 30-Nov. 1, 2014; Chicago.
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.