Complications and long-term survival for alcoholic patients with resectable lung cancer

Background The aim of this study was to determine the surgical risks and long-term survival in alcoholic patients undergoing resection for non–small-cell lung cancer. Methods Nineteen resected patients comprising the alcoholic group were identified by either a Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders–IV diagnosis of alcohol dependence/abuse, or an alcohol consumption of 60 oz/d or more. Alcoholic patients were compared with 37 nonalcoholic patients undergoing resection. Results Alcoholic patients had an increase in major infectious complications (37% [7 of 19] versus 5% [2 of 37], P = 0.005), respiratory failure (42% [8 of 19] versus 5% [2 of 37], P ≤0.001), and costs ($49,526 ± $17,525 versus $18,385 ± $3,260, P = 0.01). Alcohol abuse was the best predictor of perioperative respiratory and infectious complications (P = 0.002, B = 2.86, odds ratio = 17.5). Stage of disease (P = 0.03, B = 1.19, hazard ratio = 3.29) was a better predictor of long-term survival. Conclusions Alcohol abuse significantly increases the risk and cost of lung cancer resection. For alcoholic patients surviving the perioperative period, long-term survival appears similar to non–alcohol-abusing patients.