Synchronous lung carcinomas of different histology within the same lobe

Synchronous carcinomas were found at thoracotomy. Both tumours were within the same lobe of the lung but of different histology. There was a central squamous carcinoma with bronchial involvement and a peripheral adenocarcinoma but no evidence of lymph node or distant spread. This is an uncommon but probably under-reported finding. The literature suggests that the long-term prognosis in the documented cases of synchronous lung carcinoma is no worse than after resection of a single malignant lesion. The finding of 2 lesions on preoperative investigation or at operation does not necessarily indicate that the tumours are inoperable and should not preclude successful resection in selected patients.