2016 Volume 30 Issue 1 Pages 8-13
Pleomorphic carcinoma is a rare histologic subset of lung cancer, first proposed by the World Health Organization and revised in 1999. While pleomorphic carcinoma presents various pathologic findings, its associated prognosis is generally very poor. We retrospectively investigated the outcome of surgery for pleomorphic carcinoma patients regarding the clinical characteristics and behavior. Methods: Data were retrospectively examined for 12 consecutive patients who underwent surgical resection for pleomorphic carcinoma in a single institute between November 2010 and October 2014. Results: The patient population consisted of 10 men and 2 women between the ages of 42 and 72 years (mean, 62.8 years). Eleven patients (91.7%) were smokers. Overall, 10 lesions were in the right upper lobe. The median tumor doubling time in seven cases, the tumor diameter of which could be measured over time on preoperative CT, was 81 days. Surgical procedures included 2 pneumonectomies and 10 lobectomies. As for lymph node dissection, an ND1a was performed in one case, an ND2a-1 was performed in five cases, and an ND2a-2 was performed in 6 cases. Extended resections were required in 6 cases because of invasion to surrounding structures, and concurrent resection of distant metastasis was required in 1 case. While 6 patients including 4 with adjuvant chemotherapy currently show relapse-free survival, 5 died of lung cancer. Overall, the 3-year survival rate was 43.0%.
