Incorporating Lymph Node Size at CT as an N1 Descriptor in Clinical N Staging for Lung Cancer.

Abstract

Background The ninth edition of the TNM classification for lung cancer revised the N2 categorization, improving patient stratification, but prognostic heterogeneity remains for the N1 category. Purpose To define the optimal size cutoff for a bulky lymph node (LN) on CT scans and to evaluate the prognostic value of bulky LN in the clinical N staging of lung cancer. Materials and Methods This retrospective study analyzed patients who underwent lobectomy or pneumonectomy for lung cancer between January 2013 and December 2021, divided into development (2016-2021) and validation (2013-2015) cohorts. The optimal threshold for a bulky LN was defined based on the short-axis diameter of the largest clinically positive LN at CT. Prognostic differences according to presence of bulky LN in cN1 category for overall survival (OS) were evaluated using multivariable Cox analysis. Survival discrimination was assessed using the Harrell concordance index (C-index). Results A total of 3426 patients (mean age, 64.0 years ± 9.3 [SD]; 1837 male) and 1327 patients (mean age, 63.0 years ± 9.7; 813 male) were included in the development and validation cohorts, respectively. The cutoff size for a bulky LN was established at 15 mm, and the presence of bulky LN was an independent risk factor for OS (hazard ratio [HR], 1.54; 95% CI: 1.10, 2.16; P = .01). In the development and validation cohorts, the cN1-bulky group had higher mortality risk than the cN1-nonbulky group (HR, 2.82 [95% CI: 1.73, 4.58; P < .001]; 2.29 [95% CI: 1.34, 3.92; P = .002], respectively). The bulky LN descriptor improved prognostic discrimination within the cN1 category compared with the current staging (C-index from 0.50 to 0.60 and to 0.58 in the development and validation cohorts [P < .001, P = .006], respectively]). Conclusion Defining bulky LN with a size cutoff of 15 mm was an effective descriptor in the clinical staging of N1 lung cancer. © RSNA, 2025 Supplemental material is available for this article. See also the editorial by Horst in this issue.