# Comparative Outcomes of Segmentectomy Versus Lobectomy for Solid Dominant Lung Cancer with a Tumor Diameter of 2–3 cm

**Authors:** Shota Mitsuboshi, Motoka Omata, Hiroaki Shidei, Akira Ogihara, Tamami Isaka, Masato Kanzaki

PMC · DOI: 10.3390/jcm15062244 · Journal of Clinical Medicine · 2026-03-16

## TL;DR

The study compares segmentectomy and lobectomy for lung cancer tumors 2–3 cm in size, finding similar survival rates and suggesting segmentectomy is a viable option for selected patients.

## Contribution

This study provides evidence supporting segmentectomy as a feasible alternative to lobectomy for solid-dominant NSCLC tumors measuring 2–3 cm.

## Key findings

- Segmentectomy and lobectomy showed similar 5-year overall survival rates (93.7% vs. 94.4%).
- Recurrence-free survival rates were not significantly different between the two procedures (75.8% vs. 83.6%).
- Surgical procedure was not independently associated with survival outcomes after adjusting for confounders.

## Abstract

Background/Objectives: Several studies have demonstrated feasible oncologic outcomes of segmentectomy for pure-solid or solid-dominant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) measuring ≤2 cm in diameter and ground-glass opacity (GGO)-dominant NSCLC up to 3 cm in maximum tumor size. However, the applicability of segmentectomy for solid-dominant NSCLC with a tumor diameter of 2–3 cm remains controversial. This retrospective study aimed to investigate the outcomes of segmentectomy for solid-dominant NSCLC with a tumor diameter of 2–3 cm. Methods: We included patients who underwent lung cancer surgery at Tokyo Women’s Medical University Hospital, Tokyo, Japan, from January 2011 to December 2017. The number of patients included in this study was 743. Of the 96 eligible patients, 76 and 20 underwent lobectomy and segmentectomy, respectively. Results: The lobectomy and segmentectomy groups had similar 5-year overall survival rates (93.7% vs. 94.4%, respectively; HR 0.693, 95% CI 0.183–2.621, p = 0.586) and 5-year recurrence-free survival rates (75.8% vs. 83.6%, respectively; HR 0.639, 95% CI 0.188–2.171, p = 0.468). The recurrence pattern was not significantly different between the lobectomy and segmentectomy groups (locoregional 11.8% vs. 10.0%, and distant 10.5% vs. 5.0%, respectively; p = 0.679). Multivariable Cox regression analysis demonstrated that surgical procedure was not independently associated with OS or RFS after adjustment for confounders. Conclusions: Segmentectomy may be a feasible option for selected patients with solid-dominant NSCLC measuring 2–3 cm in diameter.

## Linked entities

- **Diseases:** non-small cell lung cancer (MONDO:0005233), NSCLC (MONDO:0005233)

## Full-text entities

- **Diseases:** Tumor (MESH:D009369), Solid Dominant Lung Cancer (MESH:D008175), NSCLC (MESH:D002289)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]

## Full text

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## Figures

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## References

20 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC13026325/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC13026325