Forced Vital Capacity Is An Independent Prognostic Predictor Of Long-term Survival After Lung Resection

Introduction:We conducted a retrospective study in patients with non-small cell lung cancer who underwent curative lung resection to confirm whether preoperative forced expiratory volume in one second or diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide is an independent prognostic factor for long-term survival, and to seek for better lung function parameters associated with long-term survival after lung resection.Methods:From January2006to December2008,470patients who underwent lung resection with a postoperative diagnosis of non-small cell lung cancer were studied. Median survival-time was60months.Results:Patients with pulmonary function values less than80percent of predicted were defined as lung function impairment. Patients with impaired vital capacity (VC), maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV), forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) or diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) had significant shorter overall survival time (P=0.024; P=0.026; P<0.001; P=0.027; P=0.007). In univariate analysis, VC, FVC, FEV1and DLCO were found to have significant effect on overall survival. In multivariate analysis, FVC (HR,2.029; P=0.019) was found to be an independent prognostic predictor of long-term overall survival. For cancer-special survival, FVC (HR2.404;95%CI1.300-4.445; P=0.005) was also found to be an independent prognostic predictor in multivariable analysisConclusion:Preoperative FVC, but not FEV1or DLCO, is an independent prognostic predictor for long-term survival. FVC is not only an indicator of lung function, but also of great value for surgeons to predict survival after lung resection.