The surgical outcomes of lung cancer combined with interstitial pneumonia: a single-institution report

Purpose: Several studies have reported that an acute exacerbation (AE) of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP) can occur after lung resection in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC); however, the perioperative management strategy is controversial. Methods: The data of lung cancer patients at Nagasaki University Hospital from June 1994 to October 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. Results: Among all 1701 NSCLC patients who underwent lung resection, 59 (3.5%) had IIP. Five patients (8.5%) had an AE of IIP following lung resection, three (60%) of whom died in hospital. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify possible risk factors for AE. The univariate analyses identified LDH and the volume of blood loss as risk factors. The multivariate analysis identified no factors. The treatment for an AE included steroid pulse therapy and neutrophil elastase inhibitor therapy. Direct hemoperfusion with polymyxin B immobilized the fiber column and immunosuppressant therapy was attempted in some of the patients who did not respond to these treatments. Conclusion: Patients with lung cancer and IIP have a higher risk of chest surgery and a poor prognosis. Very careful surgery and perioperative management are needed, because AEs are often difficult to AE predict.