Patients with ectopic ACTH syndrome might have a better prognosis in bronchopulmonary carcinoids with lymph node metastasis received radical surgery: a single-centre retrospective study in the last 22 years in China

Background Bronchopulmonary carcinoids (BPCs) are rare malignancies but are known to be one of the most common causes of the ectopic adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) syndrome. Surgery is the mainstay of therapy and one key question considering surgical treatment is the impact of local lymph node metastases. We sought to determine the risk factors and prognosis of LN metastases in resected carcinoid patients. Methods Data of 42 patients of BPCs with lymph node metastasis who received radical surgery in Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH) from Jan 2000 to Dec 2021 were retrospectively analysed. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were analyzed using Kaplan–Meier curves. Independent prognostic factors were assessed by COX hazard proportion model. Results It was indicated that in patients received radical surgery with local lymph node positive of BPCs, the 5-year OS and PFS rate was 74.5%, 68.3%, respectively. Multivariate Cox regression indicated that ectopic ACTH syndrome (EAS) could predict significantly to a better OS and PFS. In the subgroup analysis, the age, tumor size, Ki-67 index, histology and postoperative chemotherapy in patients with EAS had significantly differences with those without EAS. Conclusions Our study certified R0 resection with lymphadenectomy was effective in patients with lymph nodal positive. The ectopic ACTH syndrome was a protective factor for a better prognosis, which could provide clear evidence for operations.