Results of surgical treatment of T4 non-small cell lung cancer.

Objective: Because of location and invasion of surrounding structures, the role of surgical treatment for T4 tumors remains unclear. Extended resections carry a high mortality and should be restricted for selected patients. This study clarifies the selection process in non-small cell T4 tumors with invasion of the mediastinum, recurrent nerve, heart, great vessels, trachea, esophagus, vertebral body, and carina, or with malignant pleural effusion.

Methods: From 1977 through 1993, 89 patients underwent resection for primary non-small cell T4 carcinomas. Resection was regarded as complete in 34 patients (38.2%) and incomplete in 55 patients (61.8%). Actuarial survival time was calculated and risk factors for late death were identified.

Results: Overall hospital mortality was 19.1% (n=17). Mean 5-year survival was 23.6% for all hospital survivors, 46.2% for patients with complete resection and 10.9% for patients with incomplete resection (P=0.0009). In patients with complete resection, mean 5-year survival for patients with invasion of great vessels was 35.7%, whereas mean 5-year survival for invasion of other structures was 58.3% (P=0.05). Age, mediastinal lymph node involvement, type of operative procedure, and postoperative radiotherapy did not significantly influence survival.

Conclusion: In certain T4 tumors complete resection is possible, resulting in good mean 5-year survival especially for tumors with invasion of the trachea or carina. High hospital mortality makes careful patient selection imperative.