Long-term outcomes after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery in pulmonary large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma

Background: Pulmonary large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) is a rare subtype of lung cancer with dismal prognosis. Long-term outcomes after primarily video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) have not yet been described in LCNEC. This study aims to determine overall survival and recurrence-free survival after VATS as well as to identify prognostic factors for survival and recurrence. Methods: Data were obtained from a prospective institutional database. Kaplan-Meier estimates of overall survival and recurrence-free survival were determined and compared across prognostic factors using log-rank analysis and the Cox proportional hazards model. Results: Data from 82 consecutive patients undergoing surgical resection from 2009 to 2020 were included. All patients underwent surgical resection with curative intent, of whom 96.3% were by a VATS approach. Morbidity was low without any conversions or 30-day mortality. Lobectomy was performed in 87.8% of patients, followed by wedge resection in 4.9% and segmentectomy in 3.7%. No pneumonectomies were performed. Radical resection (R0) was achieved in 97.6%. Thirty-four patients (41.5%) had adjuvant platinum-based chemotherapy and high proportion completed at least four series (76.7%). The mean follow-up was 5.1 years. The 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year overall survival rates were 86%, 54%, and 45%, while the corresponding recurrence-free survival rates were 67%, 45%, and 35%. Advanced age was an independent predictor of poor overall survival (HR 2.08; 95% CI 1.04–4.17; p = 0.038). Conclusion: A 96.3% VATS rate was feasible in LCNEC and associated with a low morbidity rate and a high compliance with adjuvant chemotherapy. Overall survival and recurrence-free survival was comparable to previous series using thoracotomy.