What is the survival rate for a patient with stage IIB, category 3, peripheral adenocarcinoma (Adenocarcinoma) of the right lower lobe of the lung, classified as cT2aN1M0 (clinical T2a, N1, M0) according to Lim et al?

From the Research

The 5-year survival rate for a patient with right lower lobe peripheral lung adenocarcinoma staged as cT2aN1M0 (Stage IIB) with clinical category 3 is approximately 53-58%. This specific staging indicates a primary tumor size of 3-5 cm that has spread to nearby lymph nodes but not to distant sites. The adenocarcinoma histology generally has a slightly better prognosis compared to other non-small cell lung cancer types. However, survival rates can vary significantly based on individual factors including the patient's age, overall health status, performance status, and specific molecular characteristics of the tumor.

Key Considerations

• Treatment for this stage typically involves surgical resection when possible, often followed by adjuvant chemotherapy 1.
• Molecular testing should be performed to identify potential targetable mutations (such as EGFR, ALK, ROS1) which could significantly impact treatment options and survival outcomes.
• Regular follow-up imaging and examinations are essential for monitoring for recurrence.

Recent Evidence

• A recent study published in 2021 found that adjuvant chemotherapy has been shown to improve survival in patients with completely resected early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) 1.
• Another study published in 2024 compared radiotherapy versus surgical resection following neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy in potentially resectable stage III non-small-cell lung cancer, and found that radiotherapy may be a viable alternative to surgery in patients with resectable NSCLC who do not undergo surgical resection after initial neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy 2.
• The most recent study in 2025 reviewed the literature on the technical strategies for surgical excision of NSCLC after chemo-immunotherapy, addressing even the most challenging scenarios 3.

Clinical Implications

• The patient's age, overall health status, performance status, and specific molecular characteristics of the tumor should be taken into account when determining the best course of treatment.
• Surgical resection and adjuvant chemotherapy should be considered as treatment options for this stage of lung cancer.
• Molecular testing and regular follow-up imaging and examinations are crucial for monitoring for recurrence and identifying potential targetable mutations.