Integrated evaluation of clinical, pathological and radiological prognostic factors in squamous cell carcinoma of the lung.

ObjectiveLittle is known about prognostic factors for lung squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). We aimed to explore radiologic and clinical factors affecting prognosis and to compare the prognosis of both central and peripheral lung SCCs.Materials and methodsRadiologic, clinical, and pathologic profiles of surgically confirmed SCCs from 382 patients were retrospectively reviewed. Tumor location, enhancement, necrosis, the presence of obstructive pneumonitis/atelectasis and underlying lung disease were evaluated on chest CT examination. Age, pulmonary function, tumor marker, and cancer stage were also assessed. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to identify any correlation to overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). Hazard rate estimation and competing risk analysis were done to evaluate recurrence pattern.ResultsThe median follow-up period was 56.2 months. Tumors were located centrally in 230 patients (60.2%) and peripherally in 152 patients (39.8%). Age (p = 0.002, hazard ratio [HR] 1.03, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [1.01, 1.06]) and interstitial lung abnormalities (ILAs) (pConclusionsCT-determined ILAs are a strong biomarker predicting poor outcome. Prognosis may not vary according to tumor location, but the two groups exhibited different recurrence patterns.