Timing of Surgery Following Cancer Diagnosis Within a Year of Stent Placement
Professors Kim, Hongkwan and Lee Jeonghee from the Department of Thoracic & Esophageal Surgery, Professor Choi, Kihong from the Department of Cardiology, and Professor Kang, Danbi from the Clinical Epidemiology Research Center at Samsung Medical Center analyzed patient outcomes following stent placement based on the timing of subsequent cancer surgery. Their findings were published in a recent issue of the Journal of the American Heart Association.
The research team categorized patients who were diagnosed with cancer within one year of stent placement into two groups: those who underwent surgery within one month and those who did not. They monitored the patients' prognoses and found that the group receiving earlier surgery had a 30% lower rate of cancer recurrence. The analysis suggested that in cases of early-stage cancer where bleeding can be adequately controlled, performing surgery promptly, even if within one year of stent placement, may help reduce the risk of cancer recurrence by preventing further disease progression.
Notably, the average interval between stent placement and surgery was five months, which is shorter than the six-month period recommended by current guidelines, yet no significant increase in cardiovascular complications, such as bleeding or myocardial infarction, was observed. Nonetheless, the research team emphasized that cases requiring early surgical intervention should be carefully selected through a multidisciplinary approach to ensure patient safety and optimal outcomes.
Professor Kim, Hongkwan stated, “Delaying cancer surgery often leads to disease progression, rendering surgery unfeasible or resulting in poorer prognoses.” He further emphasized, “A patient-tailored approach is essential to balance effective cancer treatment with cardiovascular safety.”