Occult carcinomas of the lung.
In 1974, we reported 26 patients with roentgenographically occult lung carcinomas. In 13 (50%) of them, the tumor was localized and treated by resection while the disease was still early (Stage I). These patients have done well, and the median survival has reached 8 years. We have added 21 patients to the series since our last report. Localization was by fiberoptic bronchoscopy in all 21. Fourteen of these patients had Stage I disease and were treated by resection. Of a total of 27 patients with early disease treated by resection, none has had recurrence after follow-up extending from 2 months to 20 years. However, in 21 of the entire 47 patients (45%) a second carcinoma developed, 15 (71%) of which were second lung carcinomas.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009378:Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D013183:Sputum / Q000166:cytology