Results of surgical treatment of patients with T3 non-small cell lung cancer

Sixty-one patients with T3 non-small cell lung cancer were surgically treated in our department from February, 1974, through April, 1986. The overall 5-year survival, excluding patients with pleurisy, was 23%, and the 5-year survival for patients undergoing complete resection and incomplete resection was 42% and 10%, respectively (p less than 0.01). Survival in patients with T3 N0 and T3 N1 or N2 disease was 33% and 0 at 5 years, respectively. The prognosis for patients with pleurisy was poor, and all died within 3 years. Therefore, complete lung resection should be done in patients with T3 N0 non-small cell lung cancer if complete resection is expected. Long-term survival is less likely for patients with lymph node metastases if complete resection cannot be performed.