[Stage III bronchial cancers. Results of a series in surgery]

The aim of this study was to determine immediate and long term prognostic factors after resection of stage III lung cancer. From 1981 to 1987, 188 consecutive patients (136 stage III A and 52 stage III B) underwent resection of a primary lung cancer. Mortality (5.8 per cent) and morbidity were not influenced by age of the patient, the type of procedure (lobectomy or pneumonectomy) or the stage A or B of the cancer. But mortality was significantly increased by alteration of four ventilatory parameters. Actuarial survival was significantly better for stage III A (56%, 34 or 7 at 1, 2 and 5 years) than for stage III B (35, 18, 0 respectively). Survival was also influenced by: the quality of the resection: 15 months median survival if curative, 5 months if palliative; the tumour volume: 65%, 47, 18 at 1, 2 and 5 years if the diameter of the tumour was less than 5 cm, and 49, 31, 0 respectively if the diameter was greater than 5 cm. The authors conclude that identification of these factors is determinant to discuss prognosis and to plan treatment.