Exploring the Relationship Between Perioperative Inflammatory Biomarkers and Oncological Recurrence in Patients Undergoing Pulmonary Cancer Surgery

<b>Background:</b> Inflammation plays a crucial role in lung cancer recurrence after surgery. This study aims to investigate the relationship between lung cancer recurrence and perioperative inflammatory status, assessed in both blood and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid. <b>Methods:</b> We conducted a retrospective cohort study analyzing clinical variables, blood cytokine levels, and BAL fluid from lung cancer patients who underwent surgery. Logistic regression models were employed to predict recurrence. <b>Results:</b> Among 93 patients, 41.9% experienced recurrence within ten years. The logistic regression model identified vital status, tumor stage, and type of surgery as significant predictors of recurrence. Postoperatively, pro-inflammatory cytokines were elevated, particularly in patients who experienced recurrence. Higher levels of TNF-α in BAL fluid and increased IL-6 in blood correlated with recurrence. Additionally, metalloproteinases in BAL fluid exhibited distinct associations: MMP-2 was identified as a risk factor, whereas MMP-9 appeared to have a protective role. A multivariate model integrating clinical variables and inflammatory biomarkers significantly improved predictive accuracy (<i>p</i> < 0.0001). <b>Discussion:</b> Combining inflammatory biomarkers with clinical variables enhances the prediction of lung cancer recurrence after surgery. Understanding the dynamics of these biomarkers may facilitate early detection and enable more personalized treatment strategies.