Abstract
Background Bilateral lung neoplasms are becoming more common, but distinguishing two primary
lung cancers from metastatic disease can be difficult and only long-term follow-up
after treatment can disclose the real behavior of the disease.
The present study aimed to identify the appropriate candidates for bilateral surgical
resections from the perspective of short-term postoperative complications and long-term
outcomes.
Methods Two hundred and fifteen consecutive patients undergoing bilateral pulmonary resection
for lung cancers over a 20-year period were analyzed. Preoperative patient characteristics
were noted, including demographic information, operative details, pathologic information
including histology and tumor stage according to the eighth edition of the tumor nodes
metastases staging system, and the use of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatments.
Results Patients receiving the second pulmonary resection more than 24 months from the first
procedure as well as patients receiving bilateral lobectomies had higher overall 3-,
5-, and 10-year survival rates compared with the others.
Conclusion Patients receiving the second resection more than 24 months from the first procedure
have the best long-term results irrespective of the type of resection.
Keywords
bilateral lung cancers - lobectomy - overall survival
