Large Cell Carcinoma of the Lung: An analysis of clinical features and survival

Yang, Jin Yeong; Lee, Hyung Sik; Moon, Sun Rock; Kim, Gwi Eon; Suh, Chang Ok; Loh, John J K; Oh, Won Yong; Whang, In Soon

Abstract

This is a retrospective review of 33 patients with large cell lung carcinoma treated at Yonsei University Cancer Center between Jan. 1985 and Dec. 1989. Of the thirty-three patients, twenty eight were men and five women. Median age was 59 years. Large cell undifferentiated carcinoma was the most common pathologic type, 78.8%. Twenty one of thirty three patients had far advanced diseases, stage IIIB-IV at the time of initial diagnosis. Pleural effusion was initially presented in 12 patients, and SVC syndrome appeared in 5 patients. As to location of the primary tumor, 19(57.6%) appeared in the right lung and 14 (42.4%) in the left. Patients with a centrally located primary tumor mass were nearly the same as those peripherally located (17 vs. 16). Fifteen of thirty three patients developed metastasis involving not only bone, brain, the opposite lung, adrenal gland but also soft tissue, skin, pancreas and appendix. Treatment was individualized with 19 treated radically and 14 palliatively. After treatment, only two patients showed a complete response. Long term survival was observed in 4 patients: 1 (24 mo.), 2 (41 mo.) and 1 (54 mo.). The overall 2 year survival rate was 14.3% while the median survival time was 6.0 months. Through the analysis of the various factors affecting survival, we observed that pleural effusion-absent group and complete response group had a statistical significant better survival rate (p<0.01).