Metachronous second primary lung cancer resection

Abstract

Objective. To determine the outcome and complications following second lung resection in cases with metachronous second primary lung cancer. Subjects and Methods. Ten cases with metachronous multiple lung cancers were evaluated retrospectively. Results. The average duration from the primary operation to the second operation was 7 years and 9 months. The primary operation was lobectomy or bilobectomy in all cases. The second operation procedures were partial resection in 1 case, segmentectomy in 3 cases, lobectomy in 5 cases and completion pneumonectomy in 1 case. One case with left upper lobectomy in the primary operation and right lower lobectomy in the second operation died one month after the operation because of respiratory insufficiency following acute pulmonary heart failure and pulmonary edema. Conclusions. High mortality has been reported for patients who underwent lobectomy following a contralateral lobectomy in the literature. Intensive and long-term follow-up is necessary for patients even with sufficient pulmonary and cardiac function after bilateral lobectomy. © 2005 The Japan Lung Cancer Society.