Extracapsular extension of pN2 lymph node metastases is not prognostically significant in surgically resected patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

Although we could not demonstrate significant prognostic differences between N2 extra capsular nodal involvement within our patient population, other analyses may yield different results. However, clinicians should continue performing thorough lymph nodes dissections in order to achieve local complete resection even in patients with extra capsular tumor spread.