OBJECTIVETo study the survival and prognostic implication in surgically resected satellite-nodule T4 (T4 satellite) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODSFrom January 1995 to March 2005, the complete resection was performed to 42 patients with NSCLC who were postoperatively identified as pathologic-stage T4 satellite. Survival and associations between clinicopathological parameters and prognosis were analyzed. Thirty-two patients with pathologic stage local-invasion T4 (T4 invasion) NSCLC who underwent resection at the same time were also analyzed.

RESULTSThe 1-, 3- and 5-year survival was 76.2%, 57.1% and 46.0% for patients with T4 satellite, while 62.3%, 31.5% and 20.0% for patients with T4 invasion. There was a significant higher survival in T4 satellite group when compared to that in T4 invasion group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, patients with T4 satellite N0M0 got a better survival than those with T4 satellite N1-2M0, T4 invasion N0M0 and T4 invasion N1 -2M0 (P < 0.05). For patients with T4 satellite, univariate analysis showed that histology, main tumor size, lymph node status and adjuvant chemotherapy were linked with survival, while main tumor size, lymph node status and adjuvant chemotherapy served as the independent prognostic factors with multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSIONSPatients with completely resected T4 satellite NSCLC have a better prognosis than those with T4 invasion. Main tumor size over 3 cm, lymph node metastasis or no adjuvant chemotherapy means an unfavorable prognosis.