The Prognostic Impact of Supraclavicular Lymph Node Metastases in Lung Cancer: Do We Need a Modification of the Current Staging System?

Key Points

• To assess the prognostic significance of contralateral supraclavicular lymph node metastases in lung cancer and its impact on staging.
• Analysis of stage IIIB non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) outcomes based on lymph node involvement.
• Comparison of prognosis between contralateral and ipsilateral supraclavicular metastases.
• Recommendations for systemic treatment consideration for high-risk patients.
• Contralateral metastases indicate worse prognosis than ipsilateral involvement.
• Current staging may inadequately classify the risk of these patients.
• A reevaluation of staging systems is suggested based on these findings.