Analysis of the surgical treatment for superior sulcus tumors.

Purpose: This study was undertaken to assess the mortality, complication, and major morbidity rates of surgical treatment for superior sulcus tumors (SSTs), and to estimate the significance of prognostic factors.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the hospital records of 50 consecutive patients undergoing surgical treatment for SSTs between 1992 and 2007. The significance of risk factors for an adverse outcome was investigated.

Results: Both the thirty-day and in-hospital mortality rates were 0 %. Complications developed in 18.0 % (9/50) of the patients. The overall 5-year survival was 32.7 %. Pathological T4 and N1 or more were the risk factors predicting an adverse outcome. Survival was not significantly influenced by the preoperative symptoms, the histological type, the invaded organ or the curability.

Conclusion: Surgical treatment for SSTs is associated with acceptable overall morbidity and mortality rates. However, special care must be taken for the patients with pathological T4 and N1 or higher tumors. Preoperative chemoradiotherapy followed by surgical treatment has become a logical strategy for SSTs. Preoperative chemoradiotherapy for SSTs may yield better results than surgery alone.