Dual Primary Bronchogenic Carcinoma

Abstract

Thirty-four cases of double primary bronchogenic carcinomas, 5 simultaneous and 29 consecutive, were encountered among 2,664 patients treated for bronchogenic carcinoma.Criteria used for establishing the independent nature of these tumors included: (1) the absence of an extrapulmonary primary tumor of a similar histopathology, (2) the presence of bronchial communication, (3) simultaneous appearance of two tumors, and (4) a long interval between consecutive tumors.The interval between two primary tumors ranged from 9 months to 15 years, with the average being 5 years and the highest incidence at the second and fifth years.The tumors in 15 patients were operable; 3 patients are alive at 1 to 4 years and 1 at 5 years.The prognosis in this kind of patient is grave; operation offers the best chance for cure.