Long-term clinical follow-up after operation for lung carcinoma

From 1951 to July 1969, 964 lung resections for primary lung carcinoma have personally been carried out. All except eight patients, whose follow-up has been continued by colleagues elsewhere, have been examined at intervals in the outpatient department and chest radiographs have been taken. No patient has been lost from follow-up. The results of this follow-up are presented. The quality of the patient's life after operation, the cause of death, the results, and the relationship of survival to extent of operation are discussed. Details of 151 patients surviving more than five years, and of 49 surviving more than 10 years, are given. Information on the aspects under consideration is believed to be as complete as possible. The cause of death is doubtful in only two patients.