Stage I non-small cell cancer of the lung results of surgical resection at Fairfax Hospital.

Between January 1, 1981 and December 31, 1989, 2003 patients were evaluated at Fairfax Hospital with a diagnosis of carcinoma of the lung. Of these, 214 with Stage I non-small cell carcinoma underwent surgical resection. Operative (30-day) mortality was 1.4%. Overall 5-year survival was 59%, inclusive of all deaths, cancer-related as well as unrelated. Noting stage was constant, when patients were analyzed by gender, age, cell type, tumor status and extent of resection, only age proved statistically significant relative to long-term survival. However, even patients 70 and older averaged a nearly 50% 5-year survival. Moreover, if deaths are related to cancer only, 5-year survival rates should be significantly increased over the rates when quoted to all causes of death.