Prevention of Tumor Spread Due to Lung Cancer Surgery

Study Summary

This study will investigate operative techniques to reduce the risk of tumor spread as a result of lung cancer surgery. Recent studies indicate that tumor cells may be released into the bloodstream due to handling of the lung during surgery, causing disease spread in patients whose tumor was previously confined to the lung. This study will examine whether the order in which the pulmonary vein (a vessel carrying blood from the lungs to the heart) and artery (vessel carrying blood from the heart to the lungs) are tied off during surgery affects the risk of tumor spread and disease recurrence. Patients 18 years of age or older with operable Stage I or Stage II non-small cell lung cancer and no evidence of tumor spread beyond the lung may be eligible for this study. Candidates will be screened with a medical history, blood tests, chest X-ray, and possibly mediastinal evaluation. This test involves inserting a tube into the chest cavity to look for signs of disease spread beyond the lung. All participants will undergo standard surgery for lung cancer. During the procedure, both the pulmonary artery and pulmonary vein are tied off; for this study, patients will be randomly assigned to have either the artery or the vein ligated first. Patients will be followed every 6 months for two years with blood tests and X-rays to look for disease recurrence. ...