Early hilar lung cancer - clinical aspects and long term survival. Identification of a subgroup of stage IA patients with more favorable prognosis

Twenty-nine patients out of 2018 operated on for a non-small-cell lung canc er from 1987 to February 1998 met the criteria proposed by the Japan Lung C ancer Society (JLCS) for the definition of early hilar lung cancer (EHLC). Twenty-six patients were symptomatic and 20 had a radiologically visible le sion. All cancers were located and diagnosed by bronchoscopy and all patien ts were resected. At histology, all tumors were squamous in nature. The fiv e-year cumulative survival rare was 96% a second primary lung cancer (2nd P r.) developed in 4 patients (13.8%). The definition of EHLC proposed by the JLCS allows the selection of a subgroup of stage I patients with a very go od prognosis. Nevertheless, a close follow-up is mandatory because more tha n 10% of these patients develop a 2nd Pr. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.