[Resected roentgenographically occult bronchogenic squamous cell carcinoma tumor size, survival and recurrence]

The relationship between tumor size and nodal involvement of resected roentgenographically occult squamous cell carcinoma in 127 cases was documented. Survival and recurrent patterns were analyzed. Intrabronchial invasion was observed in 103 cases and extrabronchial invasion in 24 cases. One hundred and nineteen cases (94%) had N0 diseases, six (5%) N1 diseases and two (2%) N2 diseases. One hundred and one cases were in early stage and 26 in non-early stage. Nodal involvement was observed in two (2%) of the 103 cases with intrabronchial invasion and in six (25%) of the 24 cases with extrabronchial invasion. Nodal involvement was noted in none (0%) of 55 cases in whom longitudinal extension of tumors was within 10mm, but was noted in four (9%) of 46 cases in whom it was 11 to 20mm and in four (15%) of 26 cases in whom it was 21 to 55mm. Death from primary lung cancer occurred in three (12%) of the non-early cases, but in none (0%) of the early cases. Death from multiple metachronous lung cancer occurred in one (4%) of the non-early cases and in three (3%) of the early cases. Nodal and extrabronchial involvement reduced survival. Recurrence often involved hilar, mediastinal, supraclavicular nodes, and surgical margin of bronchus.