[Extent of lymphadenectomy in lung resection for carcinoma]

Dissemination of the bronchogenic carcinoma into the lung and mediastinal lymphonodes is considered one of the basic prognostic factors. Correct evaluation of the lymphonodes involvement remains the principal pre-requisite for the choice of the most appropriate procedure and makes a forecast of a particular patient's perspective possible. The preoperative diagnostics of malignant lymphadenopathy is based on a CT examination. Once enlarged lymphonodes are detected, invasive exploration is indicated--either via mediastinoscopy, eventually via thoracoscopy. The final picture of the extent of the tumor dissemination via lymphatics is provided by the final histopathological examination of the lymphonodes removed during the surgical procedure. The minimal extent of lymphadenectomy is still being discussed. Some clinics do not conduct it at all. On the other hand, there are some clinics, where the en-bloc mediastinal lymphonodes dissection remains a common procedure during all lung carcinoma surgical procedures. On the group of 226 patients operated between 1996-1999, the authors assess surgical aspects and complications of the lymphadenectomic procedure within the radical lung resection for the non-spinocellular lung carcinoma. In the subgroup of 73 patients with a confirmed malignancy of the lung lymphonodes, the authors have found no statistical difference in the five-year survival rate which would be connected to lymphadenectomy. Mediastinal lymphadenectomy, with respect to its sound diagnostic and prognostic benefits, remains a necessary part of any curative resection. It proved to improve local control of the tumor, however, it has no clear influence on the survival rate. In small peripheral tumors (T1, T2), its extent may be restricted to systematic sampling of the interlobium, lung hilus and medistinum lymphonodes. On the other hand, in case of advanced tumors after the induction therapy, no other than en-block resection procedures are suitable or even possible.