[Analysis of 64 second primary cancers of the bronchi]

Sixty-four primary lung carcinomas were observed among 1,039 patients operated for bronchial carcinoma between 1975 and 1984. (Statement: July 1987). The second tumor tended to develop at a distance from the first resection performed for a lesion with good prognostic factors. Their site and histology present no unusual features. 64% appeared in the contralateral lung; 78% had the same histological type as the first cancer. Among 28 patients treated by surgery, 26 had a second resection: there were two peri-operative deaths and 4 major complications. Among the 36 patients rejected for surgery, 21 had excessively altered lung function tests. 30 patients were treated with radiotherapy, 7 with chemotherapy first; one had no treatment. The survival rate for the whole group was quite good: 26% at three years; it was significantly better after a second resection: 41% at three years. Overall survival seems comparable with that of the patients operated upon for a single carcinoma.