Survival after incomplete resection or exploratory thoracotomy in patients with advanced non small cell lung cancer

In order to evaluate the effects of incomplete resection or exploratory thoracotomy on survival, 75 patients with Stage III non small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) were studied. Twenty-five subjects underwent incomplete resection, 25 had exploratory thoracotomy and 25 patients who were denied surgery served as controls. Standard radio-therapy and chemotherapy regimens were given to most patients. The 2-year survival rates were 14%, 7% and 9% following incomplete resection, exploratory thoracotomy or conservative treatment, respectively. The survival curve was significantly worse in the exploratory thoracotomy group than in the control group (p less than 0.05). Major complications occurred in 2 patients after incomplete resection (bronchopleural fistula; chylothorax) and in 3 patients following surgical exploration (atelectasis). Two post-operative deaths were recorded in the exploratory thoracotomy group. In conclusion, the survival rate at 2 years in patients with Stage III NSCLC is not modified by incomplete or exploratory surgery. Moreover, exploration seems to worsen the outlook of patients during the first 2 years from diagnosis.