Results of combined resection of adjacent organs in lung cancer

Background: Indications for surgical treatment in advanced lung cancer stil l remain to be established. Methods: The outcomes of combined resection of adjacent organs in lung cancer were assessed in terms of complications and the invasiveness of surgery, using intraoperative blood loss and operation time as indices. Results: In 68 patients undergoing combined resection betw een 1980 and 1997, the 5-year-survival rates and the incidence of complicat ions and hospital deaths were 24.5%, 52.9%, and 10.3%, respectively. The me an blood loss and operation time were 1200 ml and 396 minutes. The rares of complications and hospital deaths were significantly higher in the group w ith 1000 mi or more blood loss, and in the group with 360 minutes or longer operation time. Conclusions: In terms of the survival rate, invasiveness o f surgery, and complications, the pleura and pericardium were the best indi cations for combined surgery. For the thoracic wall, blood loss was greater and the rates of complications and hospital deaths tended to be higher amo ng T3 cases. Both blood loss and operation time tended to be greater in T4 cases. Indications for surgery need to be carefully determined with respect to curability.