Large cell carcinoma of the lung: a contribution on prognosis after potentially curative resection

Between 1976 and 1989, 53 out of 60 patients with large cell carcinoma of the lung underwent potentially curative surgery, i.e. macroscopically and microscopically complete resection. For better comparison, all tumors were classified according to the TNM staging system of the UICC 4th edition of 1987. Following potentially curative surgery, in stage I the mean survival time was 19 months and the five-year survival rate 30.1%, in stage II 8 months and 10%, and in stage IIIa 6.5 months and 0%, respectively. The differences in the long term prognosis between the tumor stages are significant. No significant differences could be demonstrated between II and IIIa in terms of the mean survival times. The prognosis for patients with potentially curatively resected squamous cell carcinoma is significantly better than that for patients with large cell carcinoma.