Prognosis after nonradical resections for small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC)

Out of 52 consecutive patients resected for small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) from 1976 to 1986, 19 were selected because they underwent nonradical surgery, 10 of them for locoregional spread and 9 for distant metastases. Of the former subset all received postoperative radiotherapy and 8 chemotherapy also. Three patients are alive and disease-free 37, 56 and 91 months after resection. Four patients had a distant recurrence, and 3 a locoregional failure. Patients of the latter subgroup received chemotherapy in 7 instances. None survived more than 16 months, distant metastases being the cause of death. In these patients N0 status was associated with 13.3 months of mean survival, N1 with 8.5 months, and N2 with 6.7 months. Surgery and adjuvant treatments seem effective in achieving local control of SCLC despite nonradical resections. Tumor burden at locoregional sites does not preclude the possibility of long term survival.