Surgical treatment of lung cancer in patients under 45 years of age

Aim. The aim of the study was to evaluate the characteristics and prognosis of radical surgical treatment in young patients under the age of 45 with lung cancer. Methods. We retrospectively analysed the data of 85 young patients and 211 older patients who underwent anatomical lung resections in Wroclaw Thoracic Surgery Centre. Results. Less lobectomies were performed (p=0.048), the incidence of carcinoid was significantly higher (p<0.0001), stage I of lung cancer was observed less frequently (p=0.023), the frequency of metastasis to subcarinal lymph nodes was higher (p=0.007), a bronchial stump was microscopically infiltrated more frequently, the complete resection was noted rarer (p=0.016) and 3-year survival rate of squamous cell carcinoma patients was worse in younger group (p=0.017). The statistical significance was not observed between the frequency of recurrences and overall survival. Conclusions. Lung cancer in younger patients seems to be more advanced at the time of surgery. It is probable that the group of younger patients with squamous cell carcinoma will require additional treatment after surgery.