Pancoast's tumor: irradiation or surgery?

Ann Thorac Surg. 1979 Dec;28(6):578-86. doi: 10.1016/s0003-4975(10)63180-3.

Abstract

Seventy-three patients with Pancoast's tumor treated at the University of Maryland Hospital between 1955 and 1978 were reviewed. Three were 34 squamous cell carcinomas, 13 undifferentiated, 10 adenocarcinomas, 4 mixed adenosquamous, 1 alveolar cell, and 11 undetermined. Twenty-nine patients received irradiation, with 7% survival at 3 years; 19 patients underwent preoperative irradiation followed by en bloc resection of chest wall, with 23% survival at 3 years; 5 patients underwent extended resection, with 60% survival at 3 years; and 18 patients underwent operation followed by irradiation, with 7% survival at 3 years. Retrospective staging of 42 patients undergoing operation indicated that 22 (52%) were inoperable. Prognosis was related to staging of the disease, the extent of local invasion, nodal involvement, cell type, and adequacy of operation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Maryland
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Pancoast Syndrome / mortality
  • Pancoast Syndrome / pathology
  • Pancoast Syndrome / radiotherapy
  • Pancoast Syndrome / surgery
  • Pancoast Syndrome / therapy*
  • Time Factors