Table 3.
Univariate Cox regression analysis for prediction of tumor-free survival and overall-survival*.
| Parameter | At-risk group | TFS risk | OS risk | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High vs. Low | P | HR | P | HR | |
| TNM Stage | IIIA vs. II vs. I | 0.004 | 4.48 | 0.005 | 4.32 |
| N stage | N1–2 vs. N0 | 0.026 | 4.17 | 0.031 | 3.98 |
| PPB-CTCs | >5 vs. ≤5 | 0.007 | 8.71 | 0.007 | 8.41 |
| IPVB-CTCs | >25 vs. ≤25 | 0.016 | 12.88 | 0.016 | 12.88 |
*Abbreviations: TFS: tumor-free survival and OS: overall-survival. HR: hazard ratio; PPB-CTCs: peripheral blood circulating tumor cells; IPVB-CTCs: pulmonary venous blood circulating tumor cells.
Using the PPB specimens, results showed that the TFS, Cox proportional hazards regression HR, 8.71; P = 0.007; the OS, Cox proportional hazards regression HR, 8.71; P = 0.007. Using the IPVB specimens, results showed that the TFS, Cox proportional hazards regression HR, 12.88; P = 0.0162, whereas the OS, Cox proportional hazards regression HR, 12.88; P = 0.016.