Baseline cardiopulmonary function as an independent prognostic factor for survival of inoperable non-small-cell lung cancer after concurrent chemoradiotherapy: a single-center analysis of 161 cases

Abstract

Purpose: Little is known about the effects of cardiopulmonary function on the prognosis of concurrent chemoradiotherapy in patients with inoperable non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods and materials: A retrospective analysis of the effects of tumor- and patient-related factors and parameters of cardiopulmonary function and heart morphology on the feasibility, toxicity, and prognosis was performed.

Results: Cardiopulmonary function had no effect on the toxicity or feasibility of treatment; effects on survival were observed in the univariate analysis. Median survival varied as follows: cardiac function: 13.0 ± 1.6 months for left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) > 50% vs. 10.0 ± 1.9 months for LVEF ≤ 50% (p = 0.003); pulmonary function: 16.0 ± 0.6 months for no lung function deficits (vital capacity [VC] ≥ 60%, forced expiratory volume in 1 s ≥ 80%, and diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) ≥60%) vs. 14.0 ± 1.5 months for one or two function deficits vs. 8.0 ± 1.5 months for three lung function deficits (p = 0.001); T stage: 19.0 ± 3.1 months for rcT0/cT1/cT2 vs. 12.0 ± 0.8 months for cT3/cT4 (p = 0.039); and age: 11.0 ± 1.5 months for <60 years vs. 18.0 ± 2.5 months for 60-69 years vs. 12.0 ± 1.2 months for ≥70 years (p = 0.008). Prognostic factors identified in the multivariate analysis were LVEF ≤50% (p = 0.043; hazard ratio [HR], 1.74), reduced pulmonary function (p = 0.001; HR, 1.71 or 5.05) and T stage (p = 0.026; HR: 1.71).

Conclusions: In addition to T-stage, cardiac and pulmonary function variables affected the survival of non-small-cell lung cancer patients after chemoradiotherapy.