Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery Significantly Lowers Mortality in Early-Stage Lung Cancer Patients

A recent meta-analysis presented at the 2025 World Conference on Lung Cancer by the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer highlights the survival benefits of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) compared to traditional lobectomy in patients with early-stage lung cancer. The study found that patients undergoing VATS experienced a 21% reduction in overall mortality risk, without compromising disease-free survival.

VATS is increasingly adopted as the preferred surgical approach for lung resections, particularly for early-stage cancers, due to its advantages including less postoperative pain, fewer complications, quicker recovery times, and improved quality of life. However, prior randomized trials were limited in their capacity to detect differences in overall or disease-free survival due to their scope.

To address this, researchers conducted a meta-analysis of three randomized controlled trials from Denmark, China, and the UK, encompassing 1,185 patients. Their pooled data revealed a significant survival benefit with VATS, with a hazard ratio of 0.79, indicating a 21% decreased risk of death compared to open lobectomy. No significant difference was observed in disease-free survival.

Dr. Jacie Jiaqi Law from the Royal Brompton Hospital emphasized that these findings provide strong evidence favoring VATS for eligible patients, reinforcing it as the surgical approach of choice for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer. This development marks a notable step forward in surgical oncology and patient outcomes.

This information is based on findings from the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer and can be referenced at source.