[Multiple primary lung carcinoma].

Of 692 patients who underwent operations for primary lung carcinoma between January 1980 and August 2001, 21 (3.0%) were considered to have a second primary lung carcinoma, which was synchronous in 14 cases (2.0%) and metachronous in 7 cases (1.0%). Five-year survival rate for patients with synchronous and metachronous disease from initial treatment of carcinoma were 66.7% and 100%, respectively. Survival after the development of a metachronous lesion was 80.0% at 5 years. Eight of the synchronous second tumors (57%) were detected by preoperative radiography or bronchoscopy, and 3 (21%) were detected during the operation. Adenocarcinoma comprised 81% of all multiple primary lung carcinomas, 86% of synchronous carcinomas and 57% of metachronous carcinomas. It is important to carefully examine a synchronous lesion before and during the operation of a primary lung carcinoma and to perform close follow-up surveillance for early detection of a metachronous lesion. The outcomes of surgical treatment for either synchronous or metachronous multiple primary lung carcinomas are satisfactory. Precise staging is important for the treatment of multiple lung carcinomas, and an aggressive surgical approach should be considered for early-stage carcinomas.