ABSTRACT
Background and purpose: Carcinosarcoma of the lung is a rare malignant pulmonary neoplasm,which including epithelial and parenchymal malignant structure with a poor prognosis. The purpose of this study was to describe the clinicopathologic characteristics and the survival of pulmonary carcinosarcoma. Methods: From Jan.1980 to Dec. 2006, 64 patients with pulmonary carcinosarcoma who underwent surgical treatment were retrospectively analyzed. Results: The overall 5-year survival rate of the patients was 14.1%. There was significant difference between stage Ⅰ/Ⅱ and stage Ⅲ/Ⅳ disease (28.6% vs 2.8%, P=0.003), respectively. The 5-year survival rates of lobectomy, pneumonectomy and palliative resection were 3 3.3 %, 2.8% and 0% ( P=0.003 ), respectively. Conclusion:p-TNM and operative pattern were correlated with survival. Early diagnosis and radical operation are important to the survival of the patients with pulmonary carcinosarcoma.