Significance of upper paratracheal lymph node resection in stage IB right lung cancer

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of upper paratracheal lymph node (2R lymph node) resection on the prognosis of stage IB right lung cancer Methods We retrospectively collected data of 339 patients with stage IB right lung cancer who underwent radical surgery from 1999 to 2009. The prognostic factors were evaluated by Cox proportional hazard regression model. Propensity score matching (PSM) was applied to adjust the confounding factors. The Kaplan-Meier method was applied to evaluate overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS). Results For all 339 cases included in the study, Univariate and multivariate analysis showed that smoking and family history of malignant tumors were prognostic factors for OS. Age and family history of malignant tumors were prognostic factors for RFS. Resection of the 2R lymph node was not statistically associated with OS and RFS. All cases were separated into two groups based on whether the 2R lymph nodes were resected. The results of survival analysis after PSM also suggest that the resection of 2R lymph node is not statistically associated with OS and RFS (P > 0.05). Conclusions For stage IB right lung cancer, upper paratracheal lymph node resection was not statistically associated with OS or RFS. 2R lymph node resection may not be necessary for early-stage NSCLC.