WCLC 2025 - Posters & ePosters-EP.04.30 Second Primary Lung Cancer in Surgically Treated Breast Cancer Patients: Association or Incidental Finding?

EP.04.30 Second Primary Lung Cancer in Surgically Treated Breast Cancer Patients: Association or Incidental Finding?

Pdf Summary

This prospective study, conducted from January 2019 to January 2024 at a single center, investigated the occurrence of second primary lung cancer in surgically treated breast cancer patients (BCPs). Breast cancer survivors are known to have a 40% increased risk of developing a second cancer, with lung cancer being the most common. Follow-up chest CT scans, especially in patients with lymph node involvement, often detect pulmonary nodules, leading to concerns about potential second primary lung cancers.<br /><br />Among 598 breast cancer patients, 136 showed pulmonary nodules on CT scans; 35 of these nodules were either surgically resected or biopsied, while 101 were monitored with radiological follow-up. The study identified 16 cases of second primary non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), representing 2.7% of the cohort. Notably, 87.5% of these lung cancers were diagnosed at early stages, highlighting the potential for curative treatment.<br /><br />A retrospective comparison revealed that oncologists identified suspicious lung nodules indicative of lung cancer less frequently than thoracic surgeons during CT evaluation, suggesting the need for combined multidisciplinary review. <br /><br />The study concludes that due to the elevated risk of second primary NSCLC in breast cancer survivors, routine CT scans should be incorporated into follow-up protocols for high-risk patients. Furthermore, collaboration between oncologists and thoracic surgeons in interpreting follow-up imaging is recommended to improve early detection and timely management of secondary lung cancers in this population.

Asset Subtitle

Sara Ricciardi

Meta Tag

Speaker Sara Ricciardi

Topic Screening and Early Detection

Keywords

second primary lung cancer

breast cancer survivors

pulmonary nodules

chest CT scans

non-small cell lung cancer

early-stage lung cancer detection

multidisciplinary review

oncologists vs thoracic surgeons

lung cancer risk in breast cancer patients

follow-up imaging protocols