Outcomes of Surgical Resection of Primary Lung Cancer After Pancreatic Cancer

Objective: This study aimed to elucidate the therapeutic significance of lung resection for primary lung cancer after pancreatic cancer surgery in contemporary cases.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included patients who had lung nodules and performed pulmonary resection after pancreatic cancer surgery at seven hospitals affiliated with the Thoracic Surgery Study Group of Osaka University between January 2009 and December 2021. Patients in which surgery was performed for biopsy purposes, those with a history of other cancers with potential for lung metastasis, patients who did not give their consent for enrollment, and patients determined to be ineligible by the attending physician were excluded from the study.

Results: A demographic analysis revealed that 17 patients were eligible for inclusion. Pathological diagnoses were established by institutional pathologists and occasionally aided by immunostaining and genetic testing. A survival analysis revealed a 3-year survival rate of 61.9% and a 5-year survival rate of 54.2% after lung resection. Subgroup analyses highlighted the impact of the interval between pancreatic cancer surgery and lung nodule detection, tumor diameter, and procedure on survival outcomes.

Conclusions: This study underscores the therapeutic implications of lung resection for primary lung cancer following surgery for pancreatic cancer. Despite the challenges in preoperative diagnosis and treatment decisions, surgical intervention demonstrates promise, especially in select cases. Further research is needed to determine the best therapeutic strategies for this group.