[Diagnosis and surgical treatment of double primary lung cancer]

To arrive at a rational diagnosis and effective surgical treatment of double primary lung cancer.

Thirty-four patients with double primary lung cancers were operated in our department from 1977 to 1999.

Twenty-two lesions were metachronous and 12 synchronous. Among the patients with metachronous second primary lung cancer, 10 were treated by lobectomy, 11 by partial resection and one was explored only. The morbidity, mortality and 5-year survival rates were 13.6%, 4.6% and 25.0%, respectively. Among the synchronous double primary lung cancer patients, 2 were treated by lobectomy and 2 by pneumonectomy and the others by partial resection at least for one tumor. There was no morbidity or mortality, and the 5-year survival rate was 14.3%.

Because of the low detection rate of double primary lung cancer, preoperative diagnosis, differential diagnosis and postoperative follow up must be paid with due attention. Conservative operation and incomplete lymph node dissection, being the chief reasons of poor outcome, should be stressed.