The IASLC Staging and Prognostic Factors Committee has collected a new database of 94,708 cases donated from 35 sources in 16 countries around the globe. This has now been analysed by our statistical partners at Cancer Research And Biostatistics and, in close collaboration with the members of the committee proposals have been developed for the T, N, and M categories of the 8th edition of the TNM Classification for lung cancer due to be published late 2016. In this publication we describe the methods used to evaluate the resultant Stage groupings and the proposals put forward for the 8th edition.

This article proposes codes for the primary tumor categories of adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS) and minimally invasive adenocarcinoma (MIA) and a uniform way to measure tumor size in part-solid tumors for the eighth edition of the tumor, node, and metastasis classification of lung cancer. In 2011, new entities of AIS, MIA, and lepidic predominant adenocarcinoma were defined, and they were later incorporated into the 2015 World Health Organization classification of lung cancer. To fit these entities into the T component of the staging system, the Tis category is proposed for AIS, with Tis (AIS) specified if it is to be distinguished from squamous cell carcinoma in situ (SCIS), which is to be designated Tis (SCIS). We also propose that MIA be classified as T1mi. Furthermore, the use of the invasive size for T descriptor size follows a recommendation made in three editions of the Union for International Cancer Control tumor, node, and metastasis supplement since 2003. For tumor size, the greatest dimension should be reported both clinically and pathologically. In nonmucinous lung adenocarcinomas, the computed tomography (CT) findings of ground glass versus solid opacities tend to correspond respectively to lepidic versus invasive patterns seen pathologically. However, this correlation is not absolute; so when CT features suggest nonmucinous AIS, MIA, and lepidic predominant adenocarcinoma, the suspected diagnosis and clinical staging should be regarded as a preliminary assessment that is subject to revision after pathologic evaluation of resected specimens. The ability to predict invasive versus noninvasive size on the basis of solid versus ground glass components is not applicable to mucinous AIS, MIA, or invasive mucinous adenocarcinomas because they generally show solid nodules or consolidation on CT.

Thymic epithelial tumors (TETs) are one of the rarest adult malignancies. Among TETs, thymoma is the most predominant, characterized by a unique association with autoimmune diseases, followed by thymic carcinoma, which is less common but more clinically aggressive. Using multi-platform omics analyses on 117 TETs, we define four subtypes of these tumors defined by genomic hallmarks and an association with survival and World Health Organization histological subtype. We further demonstrate a marked prevalence of a thymoma-specific mutated oncogene, GTF2I, and explore its biological effects on multi-platform analysis. We further observe enrichment of mutations in HRAS, NRAS, and TP53. Last, we identify a molecular link between thymoma and the autoimmune disease myasthenia gravis, characterized by tumoral overexpression of muscle autoantigens, and increased aneuploidy.

A universal and consistent stage classification system, which describes the anatomic extent of a cancer, provides a foundation for communication and collaboration. Thymic epithelial malignancies have seen little progress, in part because of the lack of an official system. The International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer and the International Thymic Malignancies Interest Group assembled a large retrospective database, a multispecialty international committee and carried out extensive analysis to develop proposals for the 8th edition of the stage classification manuals. This tumor, node, metastasis (TNM)-based system is applicable to all types of thymic epithelial malignancies. This article summarizes the proposed definitions of the T, N, and M components and describes how these are combined into stage groups. This represents a major step forward for thymic malignancies.

These guidelines can set the stage for reproducibility studies and the design of a clinically meaningful grading system for thymic epithelial tumors.

Objective To compare the long-term outcomes among robotic, video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS), and open lobectomy in stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Summary Background Data Survival comparisons between robotic, VATS, and open lobectomy in NSCLC have not yet been reported. Some studies have suggested that survival following VATS is superior, for unclear reasons. Methods Three cohorts (robotic, VATS, and open) of clinical stage I NSCLC patients were matched by propensity score and compared to assess overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify factors associated with the outcomes. Results From January 2002 to December 2012, 470 unique patients (172 robotic, 141 VATS, and 157 open) were included in the analysis. The robotic approach harvested a higher number of median stations of lymph nodes (5 for robotic vs 3 for VATS vs 4 for open; P<0.001). Patients undergoing minimally invasive approaches had shorter median length of hospital stay (4 days for robotic vs 4 days for VATS vs 5 days for open; P<0.001). The 5-year OS for the robotic, VATS, and open matched groups were 77.6%, 73.5%, and 77.9%, respectively without a statistically significant difference; corresponding 5-year DFS were 72.7%, 65.5%, and 69.0%, respectively, with a statistically significant difference between the robotic and VATS groups (P=0.047). However, multivariate analysis found that surgical approach was not independently associated with shorter OS and DFS. Conclusions Minimally invasive approaches to lobectomy for clinical stage I NSCLC result in similar long-term survival as thoracotomy. Use of VATS and robotics is associated with shorter length of stay, and the robotic approach resulted in greater lymph node assessment.

Background Development of acquired resistance limits the utility of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) for the treatment of EGFR mutant lung cancers. There are no accepted, targeted therapies for use after acquired resistance develops. Metastasectomy is used in other cancers to manage oligometastatic disease. We hypothesized that local therapy is associated with improved outcomes in patients EGFR mutant lung cancers with acquired resistance to EGFR TKI. Methods Patients who received non-CNS local therapy were identified by a review of data from a prospective biopsy protocol for patients with EGFR-mutant lung cancers with acquired resistance to EGFR TKI therapy and other institutional biospecimen registry protocols. Results Eighteen patients were identified that received elective local therapy (surgical resection, radiofrequency ablation or radiation). Local therapy was well-tolerated, with 85% of patients restarting TKI therapy within one month of local therapy. The median time to progression after local therapy was 10 months (95% Confidence interval [CI]: 2 to 27 months). The median time until a subsequent change in systemic therapy was 22 months (95% CI: 6 to 30 months). The median overall survival from local therapy was 41 months (95% CI: 26 to not reached). Conclusions EGFR- mutant lung cancers with acquired resistance to EGFR TKI therapy are amenable to local therapy to treat oligometastatic disease when used in conjunction with continued EGFR inhibition. Local therapy followed by continued treatment with an EGFR TKI is well tolerated, and associated with long PFS and OS. Further study in selected individuals in the context of other systemic options is required.

Introduction:The rarity of thymomas and lack of multi-institutional studies have hampered therapeutic progress for decades. To overcome this, the members of the International Thymic Malignancy Interest Group created a worldwide retrospective database. This database was analyzed regarding the demographic and geographic distribution of thymomas and the impact of different variables on survival and recurrence.Methods:This study analyzed 4221 thymomas diagnosed between 1983 and 2012 with World Health Organization histotype information from the International Thymic Malignancy Interest Group database. Associations to survival and recurrence were studied by univariate and multivariate analyses.Results:Type B2 thymoma is the most common (28%) and type A the least common (12%) histotypes. They are significantly more frequent in Europe and the United States than Asia. Type A and AB occur at significantly higher age than other thymomas (64 and 57 years, respectively). There are no differences in gender distribution. Stage is lower in type A (90% in stages I–II) and AB than B1 to B3 thymomas (38% of type B3 in stage III). In univariate analysis, recurrence is significantly less frequent among stage I/II tumors, in type A and AB (recurrence rates, 1–2%) than B1 to B3 thymomas (2–7%). Multivariate analysis reveals an impact of age, stage, and resection status on survival and recurrence, whereas for histology there is only a significant impact on recurrence.Conclusion:New findings are (1) geographic differences such as a lower incidence of type A and B2 thymoma in Asia; and (2) impact of stage and histology, the latter partially limited to early stage disease, on recurrence.