Adenocarcinoma of the lung in men. A clinicopathologic study of 100 cases

One hendred adenocarcinomas of the lung were studied. Adenocarcinoma accounted for 9% of primary pulmonary malignancies in men examined for this study. Clinical features included peripheral location (65%), frequent lack of symptoms (28%), and difficulty in making a diagnosis prior to thoracotomy. Seventy-one per cent of the adenocarcionmas were resected with only 9% 5-year cures. Vascular invasion, pleural invasion, and degree of tumor differentiation were of no prognostic significance, but metastasis to lymph nodes and large tumor size were adverse factors. Almost half of the adenocarcinomas were associated with pre-existent pulmonary scars, with transition from atypical metaplasia to carcinoma. Scar-associated carcinomas seemed to have a more favorable prognosis. Reasons for the low cure rate are unclear. The incidence of lymph node and vasular nvasion is comparable to other bronchogenic and “recurrences” or “pulmojnary metastasis” may represent second primaries arising in such foci.