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Abstract Background Tumor with adjacent lobe invasion (T‐ALI) is an uncommon condition. Controversy still exists regarding the optimal resection of adjacent lobe invasion, and the prognostic value in relation to fissure integrity at the tumor invasion point. The aims of this paper were to evaluate the prognosis of T‐ALI with regard to fissure integrity, and type of resection. Methods This was a retrospective multicenter study which included all consecutive patients with T‐ALI undergoing surgical treatment. Based on radiological, intraoperative and histological findings, T‐ALI patients were differentiated into two groups based on whether the fissure was complete (T‐ALI‐A group) or incomplete (T‐ALI‐D Group) at the level of tumor invasion point. Clinico‐pathological features and survival of two study groups were analyzed and compared. Results Study population included 135 patients, of these 98 (72%) were included into T‐ALI‐A group, and 37 (38%) into T‐ALI‐D Group. T‐ALI‐D patients had better overall survival than T‐ALI‐A patients (63.9 ± 7.0 vs. 48.9 ± 3.9; respectively, P = 0.01) who presented with a higher incidence of lymph node involvement (35% vs. 4%; P = 0.004), and recurrence rate (43% vs. 16%; P = 0.01). At multivariable analysis, T‐ALI‐D (P = 0.01), pN0 stage (P = 0.0002), and pT≤5 cm (P = 0.0001) were favorable survival prognostic factors. Conclusions T‐ALI‐D presented a better prognosis than T‐ALI‐A while extent of resection had no effect on survival. Thus, in patients with small T‐ALI‐D and without lymph node involvement, sublobar resection of adjacent lobe rather than lobectomy could be indicated. Key points The extent of resection of adjacent lobe had no effect on survival while T‐ALI‐D, pN0 stage, and pT≤5 cm were significant prognostic factors. In patients with small T‐ALI‐D and without lymph node involvement, sublobar resection of adjacent lobe could be indicated as an alternative to lobectomy.