[Surgical treatment of the so-called "galloping type" small size carcinoma of the lung]

We experienced twelve cases of non-small cell carcinoma of the lung of the so-called "galloping type" small size carcinoma (less than or equal to 2 cm). Ten cases presented with mediastinal lymph node metastasis and two cases with distant metastasis. Solitary lymph node metastasis observed in almost half of the cases and lymph node metastasis in peculiar lymphatic regions (#3 a) seen in two cases, were the prominent characteristics of the lymphatic pathway dissemination showed by this type of cancer in advanced clinical stage. The prognosis was good, with 3 years and 5 years survival rate of 72.2% and 54.1% respectively. According to these results, we consider that, if the clinical stage is favorable, the surgical treatment must be indicated in all cases of these advanced small size carcinoma of the lung.