Clinical analysis of 95 cases of pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES

To collect data on the clinical characteristics, pathologic presentation, and prognosis of patients with pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma.

METHODS

From September 24, 2008 to June 3, 2014, 95 patients were hospitalized at the Shanghai Chest Hospital for the treatment of pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma. We retrospectively collected patient gender, age, smoking history, time of initial diagnosis, diagnostic methods, tumor location, pathohistological subtype, tumor size, TNM stage, immunohistochemical results, subsequent treatments, and patient survival.

RESULTS

Of the 95 patients included in this study, 80 were male and 15 were female. Median patient age was 64 years (range: 43-80 years). There were 29 cases of pleomorphic carcinoma, one case of giant cell carcinoma, six cases of spindle cell carcinoma, and six cases of carcinosarcoma. The other 53 cases were not subtyped. The median survival was 11.54 months (range: 0.9-100.9 months). 1-, 2-, 3-, and 5-year survival was 32%, 30%, 25%, and 21%, respectively. Univariate analysis showed that tumor size, stage, T1+T2 vs T3+T4 stage, N stage, and M stage were prognostic factors for survival. Multivariate regression analysis showed that T stage and lymph node metastases were independent prognostic factors.

CONCLUSION

Pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma is an uncommon, aggressive cancer. T1+T2 vs T3+T4 stage and lymph node metastases were independent prognostic factors. Our results underscore the importance of early detection and early diagnosis. Effective treatments for this disease are lacking.