The goal of this mutli-center observational study is toinvestigate the impact of primary tumor resection (PTR) on the long-term survival of patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and dry pleural dissemination (DPD). The main question it aims to answer is: whether primary tumor resection improve long-term survival of NSCLC patients with dry pleural dissemination.

Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with dry pleural dissemination have poor survival rates and are generally contraindicated for surgery. Previous single-center retrospective studies have suggested that these patients may benefit from primary tumor resection (PTR). However, the evidence supporting PTR is still limited, especially in the era of targeted therapy. This study aimed to investigate the impact of PTR on the long-term survival of patients with NSCLC and DPD.

Inclusion Criteria:

(1) pathologically confirmed primary NSCLC with malignant pleural dissemination, (2) no preoperative treatment, (3) age 80 years or younger, (4) clinicopathologic data and follow-up results were complete.

Exclusion Criteria:

(1) pleural effusion, contralateral lung metastasis or distant metastasis revealed preoperatively, and (2) with a history of other malignant disease.

From January 2016 to December 2023, a total of 204 consecutive NSCLC patients with surgically confirmed DPD were collected retrospectively from three high-volume centers in China. Data were obtained by reviewing medical records.