Extended resections of locally advanced stage III lung cancer

Lung cancer invading extrapulmonary structures was resected in 13 patients, with one hospital death. The 12 survivors lived from 6 months to 53 months; their quality of life markedly improved. Three are still alive, with one apparent cure. In treating advanced lung cancer one must distinguish between local invasion and metastatic spread. In the absence of metastases, there is virtually no limit to resectability of the neoplasm, except extensive invasion of vital organs. Metastases preclude curability; in their presence useless traumatic resections should be avoided. Resectability is not necessarily related to the size of the neoplasm. A very small growth may not be resectable, while a hugh tumor confined to lung parenchyma may be amenable to surgical therapy.