Clinical Course After Radical Local Therapy for Oligo-Recurrence of Nonsmall Cell Lung Cancer.

Abstract

Background and objectives: Radical local therapy is effective for oligo-recurrence of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We retrospectively assessed patients with oligo-recurrent NSCLC and detailed the clinical course after radical local therapy.

Methods: We analyzed 1028 patients who underwent complete resection for NSCLC. We defined oligo-recurrence as up to two metachronous recurrences, radical local therapy as local therapy performed with curative intent, and progressive disease as the appearance of new lesions/re-enlargement of the initial recurrence sites.

Results: Of the 132 patients who developed oligo-recurrence, 88 received radical local therapy. Fifty-eight patients had progressive disease. Fifteen patients remained cancer free for > 5 years. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) positivity was associated with disease progression (odds ratio, 3.90; p = 0.025). Active treatment for disease progression (hazard ratio, 2.54; p = 0.012) and the absence of re-enlarged lesions at sites of radical local therapy for recurrence (hazard ratio, 2.32; p = 0.031) were associated with prolonged post-recurrence overall survival.

Conclusions: Patients with EGFR mutations who develop oligo-recurrence should be monitored for disease progression. Re-enlargement of lesions after radical local therapy was associated with a poor prognosis. A good prognosis can be expected with active treatment, even in the event of disease progression.