[Characteristics of pulmonary cancer metastasis to thoracic lymph nodes in primary tumor (T1)].

The characteristic features of primary T1 tumor metastasis to the intrathoracic lymph nodes were studied in specimens removed during surgical treatment of 404 patients with lung carcinoma. Regional metastases were detected in 31.9% of cases. The frequency of metastases in central carcinoma was determined by the level of involvement of the bronchus. The percentage of affection of the regional collectors was highest in patients with small-cell carcinoma. It is shown that in primary T1 lung carcinoma not only the bronchopulmonary and root but also the tracheobronchial lymph must be removed and examined immediately during the operation.