[Analysis and trends of treatment in cancer of the lung (author's transl)].

From 1953 to 1978 3439 patients suffering from bronchial carcinoma underwent operation. Due to the changing conditions of mass X-ray early detection of lung cancer decreased. This was followed by a declining number of operations but also by an increase in pneumonectomies (1974 to 1978). The average number of exploratory thoracotomies amounts now to 14% with increasing tendency, especially in patients younger than 50 years of age. Above 70 years lung resections are only possible in rare cases. The postoperative mortality rate (till 4 weeks after surgery) is now at 1,0%. After resection or pneumonectomy more than 40% of the patients will survive for 5 years. The authors recommend lung resection--if technically possible--also in a progredient state of the tumour.