OBJECTIVETo review the experience of the diagnosis, surgical treatment and prognosis of metachronous second primary lung cancers.

METHODSBetween January 1983 and April 2004, 32 patients with metachronous second primary lung cancers were operated in our department. Clinical data of all these patients were reviewed retrospectively.

RESULTSThe initial procedures for their first primary lung cancers were lobectomy or pneumonectomy. Lobectomy or completion pneumonectomy for the second primary lung cancers were performed in 17 cases, limited pulmonary resection was done in 14 cases and exploration was in 1 case. The postoperative morbidity and mortality were 12% (4/32) and 3% (1/32), respectively. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rate after second operation were 66% (19/29), 32% (9/28) and 19% (4/21), respectively.

CONCLUSIONSThe incidence of metachronous second primary lung cancers has been increasing gradually during recent years. The closely follow-up for patients undergoing resection for their first primary lung cancers is most important factor for improvement of the diagnosis of metachronous second primary lung cancers. Limited resection and incomplete lymph node dissection might be the factors contributing to the poor prognosis.