Factors Affecting Postoperative Morbidity and Mortality in Patients Who Received Neoadjuvant Therapy for Lung Cancer

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the factors that affect mortality and morbidity (MM) in patients with non-small lung cell cancer (NSCLC) who received Neoadjuvant Therapy (NT) for mediastinal lymph node invasion (M LN I) before the surgery. Material and Method: Twentyfour NSCLC patients who received NT for M LN I before surgery were selected as the study group. Thirty patients who were operated without receving NT were constituted the control group. Major complications (MAC) including pneumonia, empyema, chylothorax Minor complications (MIC) including prolonged air leak, arrhythmia, anemia, hoarseness, and wound site infection were determined. Patients were evaluated retrospectively. Results: It was found that life threatening postoperative MAC increased significantly after NT (p=0.04), and MIC or factors causing them did'nt affect the morbidity, NT had no effect on survival. Discussion: Surgery for NSCLC after NT for MLNI increases major morbidities. Careful preoperative assessment, experienced surgical team and appropriate intensive care conditions will reduce MM. Therefore the risk of MM should minimized with wider and prospective studies.