Surgical therapy for carcinoma of the lung.

Surgical resection in patients with carcinoma of the lung remains the one therapeutic modality that offers the greatest potential for long-term survival. However, it is apparent that the surgical treatment of carcinoma of the lung must be applied selectively. The selection of the appropriate patients is determined by the extent of the disease process, the cell type of the tumor, and the physical status of the patient. The operative procedure chosen in a given patient may be either conservative or extended in nature as deemed necessary to eradicate the local disease process. The morbidity and mortality must be commensurate with the potential salvage that may be expected. The latter is primarily determined by the extent of the disease process at the time of operation.