[Lung resection for lung carcinoma with idiopathic interstitial pneumonia]

Of 12 patients who underwent lung resections for lung cancer with idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP), eight patients survived and four patients died due to acute exacerbation of IIP after the operation. The preoperative values for percent forced vital capacity, predicted postoperative percent vital capacity, percent one-second forced expiratory volume index and serum level of C-reactive protein were significantly different between the group of patients who survived and that of having died. Three days after the operation, the percentage of lymphocytes among leukocytes and serum level of lactate dehydrogenase in the two groups were both significantly different. These findings showed that the operative strategy for patients with lung cancer and IIP needs specifically careful consideration for operative procedure, and preoperative serum levels of C-reactive protein and postoperative lactate dehydrogenase and the percentage of lymphocytes in leukocytes would be useful in evaluation of the severity of IIP.