1998 Volume 38 Issue 4 Pages 317-321
We studied the incidence of unsuspected lung cancers in patients who were admitted from October 1995 to March 1997 for evaluation of pulmonary emphysema.
The 162 subjects patients with pulmonary emphysema, all underwent the 6 minute walking test (6MD).
Lung cancers (5 squamous, 2 adeno, and 1 large cell carcinomas) were found in 8 patients (4. 9%). All were smokers (smoking index: 470-1, 840) and had severe obstructive impairments. Of the 8 patients 5 underwent surgery (2 lobectomies, 3 wedge resections).
Our experience suggests that the incidence of unsuspected lung cancer is high in patients with pulmonary emphysema who are admitted for volume reduction surgery. For this reason, pre.operative evaluation of these patients must include sputum cytology and complete radiological examinations. To preserve pulmonary functions and QOL, limited resection under VATS is preferable in these patients.
