BRONCHOGENIC CARCINOMA IN PATIENTS YOUNGER THAN 40 YEARS

Bronchogenic carcinoma is reported to be more rapidly agressive in persons younger than 40 years. We reviewed the records of 43 patients between 1980-1997. Patients were between the ages of 22-39 (mean 36.8). All patients were male and smokers except one (97.7%). The disease was staged as stage I in 2, stage II in 9, stage Ilia in 14 and stage IIIb in 18, operatively. The procedure was pneumonectomy in 5 and lobectomy in 20. The lesion was also unresectable in 18. Six distant metastases were found in 13 cases which could be followed within 3 months. 25 patients underwent resection. It is concluded that advanced disease at presentation or tumor behavior characterized this group of patients.