Objective:

To investigate risk factors for lymph node metastasis in clinical stage IA peripheral NSCLC and develop a predictive model for preoperative risk assessment, enhancing surgical decision-making.

Key Findings:

• 15-20% of clinical stage IA NSCLC patients have lymph node metastases postoperatively, highlighting the need for effective preoperative assessment.
• Identified significant predictors for lymph node metastasis including tumor size, histological subtype, and serum tumor markers, which can guide clinical decisions.
• Developed a nomogram that aids in preoperative risk assessment for lymph node metastasis, potentially improving surgical outcomes.

Interpretation:

The study highlights the importance of preoperative risk assessment in clinical stage IA peripheral NSCLC to tailor surgical strategies, ultimately improving patient outcomes.

Limitations:

• Retrospective design may introduce selection bias; future studies should consider multicenter designs.
• Single-center study limits generalizability of findings; broader studies are needed to validate results.
• Potential confounding factors not accounted for in the analysis; future research should explore additional variables.

Conclusion:

The developed predictive model can assist in identifying high-risk patients for lymph node metastasis, potentially guiding surgical decision-making and improving patient outcomes.