Lymph vessel invasion as an up-regulating prognostic factor in non-small cell lung cancer
Call for inclusion in treatment guidelines
Lung cancer is responsible for the most cancer-related death. Decisions on the exact treatment of lung cancer are based on tumour size and lymph node involvement.
Dr. Nele Eicken examined for her diploma thesis together with Ass. Dr. Melanie Biesinger from the Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences the influence of either lymph vessel or blood vessel invasion on disease process at Krems University Hospital. The invasion of lymph vessels and blood vessels is discussed as a prognostic factor for the course of non-small cell lung cancer. Neither of these parameters is yet included in the updated guidelines for the treatment of lung cancer. 160 lung cancer patients who underwent video-assisted thorascopic lobectomy for treatment were included in the retrospective study.
"Blood vessel invasion" had no relevant influence on the disease whereas „lymph vessel invasion“ was associated with a significant worsening of disease progression in the present sample.
The researchers of the University Hospital Krems therefore propose "lymphatic vessel invasion" as an additional prognostic factor to be included in the assessment of resectable lung cancer. This could result in changes of the recommended therapy.
The publication is freely available due to the KL's agreement for open access publications with the publisher MDPI.Biesinger, M., et al. (2022). "Lymph but Not Blood Vessel Invasion Is Independent Prognostic in Lung Cancer Patients Treated by VATS-Lobectomy and Might Represent a Future Upstaging Factor for Early Stages." Cancers 14(8): 1893.Cancers | Free Full-Text | Lymph but Not Blood Vessel Invasion Is Independent Prognostic in Lung Cancer Patients Treated by VATS-Lobectomy and Might Represent a Future Upstaging Factor for Early Stages (mdpi.com)
