[Limited operation and simple lobectomy for primary lung cancer in poor risk patients]

During the years 1990 to 1994, 54 poor risk patients were performed relative noncurative operation for primary lung cancer, such as limited operation or lobectomy without mediastinal lymphnodal dissection. The indication for lesser resection were mainly cardiopulmonary diseases and the elderly over 75 years old. 3 were bilobectomies, 32 were lobectomies, 1 was lobectomy and segmentectomy, 10 were segmentectomies, 8 were wedge resections. The number of cases with stage I were 41 (75.9%). Postoperative complications occurred in 13 patients (24.1%). The overall 5-year survival rate was 63.5%. The 5-year survial rate of p 0 approximately p 1, pN 0 cases was 73.9%. Relative noncurative cases undergoing lesser resection showed relatively good result compared to standard lobectomy. It was considered that lesser resection for such poor risk patients with stage I can be a beneficial therapeutic modality.