Carcinosarcoma of the lung

Abstract

Between January 1979, and December 1990, 1242 patients with primary lung cancers were observed in our Division. Among these, 3 (0.2% - 1 male and 2 females; mean age 53 yrs.; range 40-75 yrs.) had a postoperative diagnosis of carcinosarcoma of the lung. Stage I was found in 2 patients, and stage II disease (N1) in 1. The resection included lobectomy in 2 patients and wedge resection in 1. Postoperatively, the patients did not receive any adjuvant treatment. As of December 1993, only one patient (pT2NO) is alive and without evidence of disease at 36 months from surgery, with the other two patients showing short postoperative survivals (3 and 7 months).