Background: To summarize the experience of surgery for small cell lung cancer ( SCLC) and to evaluate the role of surgery in treatment of SCLC.
Methods: A retrospective study undertaken in 145 patients with SCLC who had undergone pulmonary resection( Lobectomy 69, pneumonectomy 68, sleeve lobectomy 7 and segmentectomy 1) combined with chemo/radio( IVP, VP/Co60 ) therapy according to the new international stag ing system ( 1997 System) .
Results: The 1-, 3-, 5-year overall survival rate was 73. 1% ( 106/ 145) , 24. 8% ( 36/145) and 16. 6% ( 24/145) respectively . The 1-, 3-, 5-year survival rate was 100. 0%, 80. 0% and 50. 0% for p-stage IA, 84. 6%, 30. 8% and 23. 1% for p-stage IB, 91. 7%, 83. 3% and 66. 7% for p-stage IIA. Twenty-three patients were the long term survivals. In addition, no difference of survival rate between the patients who selected surgery or chemo/radio therapy as first treatment.
Conclusions: These results suggest that operation should be considered as an important treatment choice and combined with chemotherapy for the SCLC.