Surgical treatment of lung cancer in patients with human immunodeficiency virus.
BACKGROUND
Since January 1986, more than 20 patients have been seen at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Medical Center and the Miami Veterans Administration Medical Center with concurrent human immunodeficiency virus infection and bronchogenic carcinoma. Four of these patients were treated surgically with curative intent.


METHODS
The histories, records, operative reports, and pathology reports of the 4 patients were reviewed.


RESULTS
The 4 surgically treated patients had stage I T1 N0 M0 lung cancer. Three patients had T4 cell counts of less than 200/microL and were managed by lobectomy. These patients died 5, 3 1/2, and 5 months postoperatively. More recently, a fourth patient had a T4 cell count of 963/microL and was treated with wedge resection. He is currently alive 12 months postoperatively.


CONCLUSIONS
It is concluded that surgically treated patients with lung cancer, human immunodeficiency virus infection, and T4 cell counts lower than 200/microL have high mortality and morbidity. Although it may be best to base surgical intervention on the stage of the patient's human immunodeficiency virus infection, further analysis is essential to determine which subgroup of human immunodeficiency virus-positive patients, if any, would benefit from surgical treatment of lung cancer.
Thurer
R J
RJ
Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Medical Center, Florida, USA.
Jacobs
J P
JP
Holland
F W
FW
Cintron
J R
JR
D000006:Abdomen, Acute / Q000209:etiology; D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D000328:Adult; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D002283:Carcinoma, Bronchogenic / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000209:etiology; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D016720:Pneumocystis Infections / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D011013:Pneumonectomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D015996:Survival Rate