Completion pneumonectomy for non-small cell lung cancer: experience with 59 cases.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to assess the results of completion pneumonectomy performed for non-small cell lung cancer, classified as second primary or recurrence/metastasis.


METHODS
From 1982 to 2000, 59 patients underwent completion pneumonectomy for lung cancer, classified second primary or recurrence/metastasis according to a modified form of Martini's criteria, after a mean interval from first resection of 60 months for second primary lung cancers and 19 months for recurrences/metastases.


RESULTS
Operative mortality was 3.4% and complications occurred in 30% of patients. Five-year survival rate for completely resected patients was 25% (median 20 months). No significant difference in long-term survival was detected between second primary and recurrent tumors; survival was not adversely affected by a resection interval of less than 2 years or less than 12 months.


CONCLUSIONS
Completion pneumonectomy for non-small cell lung cancer is a safe surgical procedure in experienced hands; long-term survival is acceptable and the best results are obtained for stage I lung cancer. Distinction between second primary lung cancer and recurrence failed to demonstrate a prognostic value.
Terzi
A
A
Division of Thoracic Surgery, Ospedale Maggiore, Azienda Ospedaliera, Verona, Italy. aterzi@tiscalinet.it
Lonardoni
A
A
Falezza
G
G
Scanagatta
P
P
Santo
A
A
Furlan
G
G
Calabrò
F
F
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000601:surgery*; D016609:Neoplasms, Second Primary / Q000601:surgery*; D011013:Pneumonectomy; D016019:Survival Analysis