[Lung cancer metastasis via the intrapulmonary lymphatic collectors]

In 75 patients operated upon for lung cancer a careful histological assay of the removed regional lymph nodes of intrapulmonary, hilar and mediastinal groups was made. It was found that by the moment of surgery 61 patients had lymphogenic metastases. The direction of metastatic spread mainly corresponds to regional lymph outflow from pulmonary lobes. Therefore there is a reasonable involvement of interlobar lymph nodes. The study enabled the determination of boundaries of rational, oncologically substantiated lobar resections of the lung for cancer and the possible extent of surgical intervention on regional lymphatic collectors.