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Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2004; 52(4): 206-210
DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-821075
Original Thoracic

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Outcome of Surgery for Small Cell Lung Cancer - Response to Induction Chemotherapy Predicts Survival

H. Nakamura1 , 2 , Y. Kato2 , H. Kato2
  • 1Department of Respiratory Surgery, International University of Health and Welfare Atami Hospital, Shizuoka, Japan
  • 2Department of Surgery, Tokyo Medical University Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
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Publication History

Received January 5, 2004

Publication Date:
04 August 2004 (online)

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Abstract

Background: The role of surgery for local control of small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is controversial. Methods: Sixty-nine consecutive patients who underwent complete resection of SCLC in our hospital were reviewed. The patients included 62 men and 7 women. Clinical stage at the time of diagnosis was c-stages IA and B in 29, c-stages IIA and B in 12, c-stage IIIA in 21, and c-stage IIIB in 7. Results: Thirty-two patients received induction chemotherapy, and 37 patients underwent initial surgery. The overall response rate to induction chemotherapy was 71.9 %. The survival rate stratified by clinical stage at the time of diagnosis was 48.9 % for c-stage I, 33.3 % for c-stage II, 20.2 % for c-stage IIIA, and 0 % for c-stage IIIB. Downstaging after induction chemotherapy conferred a survival benefit. Survival after lobectomy or bilobectomy was better than after pneumonectomy. Patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy survived longer than patients who did not. Conclusions: Surgery combined with chemotherapy is a therapeutic option in selected patients with SCLC. Pathologic nodal status and response to induction chemotherapy are predictors of survival.

Key words

Chemotherapy - lung cancer - surgery - survival - small cell lung cancer

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M. D., PhD Haruhiko Nakamura

Department of Respiratory Surgery
International University of Health and Welfare Atami Hospital

13-1 Higashikaigan-cho

Atami-City Shizuoka 413-0012

Japan

Phone: 2906

Fax: + 81 5 57 83 66 32

Email: h.nakamura@iuhw.ac.jp