The importance of histological classification and tumor staging for prognosis after resection of bronchial carcinoma.

Between 1962 and 1974, out of 642 patients operated on for bronchial carcinoma, 89% were resected and in 11% of the cases the operation was concluded as an exploratory thoracotomy. If the expansion of the tumor was limited, even undifferentiated carcinoma had a favorable prognosis. After 5 years 53% of the patients with the histological diagnosis of a squamous celll carcinoma, 46% of a small-cell carcinoma and 40% of an undifferentiated medium and large-cell carcinoma were alive, if the tumors belonged to the T1 stage. It is emphasized that strong selective preoperative criteria, including mediastinoscopy, are necessary.