Second primary lung cancers: smokers versus nonsmokers after resection of stage I lung adenocarcinoma

Ann Thorac Surg. 2014 Sep;98(3):968-74. doi: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2014.04.098. Epub 2014 Jul 16.

Abstract

Background: Smokers have a higher risk of developing non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) than never-smokers, but the relative risk of developing second primary lung cancer (SPLC) is unclear. Determining the risk of SPLC in smokers versus never-smokers after treatment of an initial cancer may help guide recommendations for long-term surveillance.

Methods: Patients who underwent resection for stage I adenocarcinoma were identified from a prospectively maintained institutional database. Patients with other histologies, synchronous lesions, or who received neoadjuvant or adjuvant therapy were excluded. The SPLCs were identified based on Martini criteria.

Results: From 1995 to 2012, a total of 2,151 patients underwent resection for stage I adenocarcinoma (308 never-smokers [14%] and 1,843 ever-smokers [86%]). SPLC developed in 30 never-smokers (9.9%) and 145 ever-smokers (7.8%). The SPLC was detected by surveillance computed tomography scan in the majority of patients (161; 92%). In total, 87% of never-smokers and 83% of ever-smokers had stage I SPLC. There was no significant difference in the cumulative incidence of SPLC between never-smokers and ever-smokers (p = 0.18) in a competing-risks analysis. The cumulative incidence at 10 years was 20.3% for never-smokers and 18.2% for ever-smokers.

Conclusions: Although smokers have a greater risk of NSCLC, the risk of a second primary cancer developing after resection of stage I lung cancer is comparable between smokers and never-smokers. The majority of these second primary cancers are detectable at a curable stage. Ongoing postoperative surveillance should be recommended for all patients regardless of smoking status.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / epidemiology*
  • Adenocarcinoma / pathology
  • Adenocarcinoma / surgery*
  • Adenocarcinoma of Lung
  • Aged
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Lung Neoplasms / epidemiology*
  • Lung Neoplasms / etiology*
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology
  • Lung Neoplasms / surgery
  • Male
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Neoplasms, Second Primary / epidemiology*
  • Neoplasms, Second Primary / etiology*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Smoking / adverse effects*