Journal of thoracic oncology : official publication of the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer
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Patients with stage II non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) represent a heterogeneous subgroup with variable 5-year survival rates. The influence of the type of lymph node involvement on survival and recurrence was investigated. ⋯ In patients with stage II NSCLC, survival differs according to the type of lymph node involvement: patients with only segmental lymph node involvement have a better prognosis and the disease seems to be at an early stage, whereas patients with main bronchial lymph node involvement have a poorer prognosis, and main bronchial lymph node involvement represents more advanced disease. Patients with pN1 disease represent a heterogeneous group that may be subdivided according to the level of the involved N1 station, not pT factor.