Carcinoids are rare malignant tumors and are, in most cases, resectable; the TC subgroup had better prognosis than the AC in univariate analyses. The main cause of death was metastasis/locally advanced tumor at presentation or recurrent disease following resection; both situations were three times more common in patients with AC.

A Al lu um mi in ni iu um m p po ot tr ro oo om m a as st th hm ma a: : t th he e N No or rw we eg gi ia an n e ex xp pe er ri ie en nc ce e J. Kongerud* + , J. Boe*, V. Søyseth**, A. Naalsund*, P. Magnus + Aluminium potroom asthma: the Norwegian experience. J. Kongerud, J. Boe, V. Søyseth, A. Naalsund, P. Magnus. ERS Journals Ltd 1994. ABSTRACT: Work-related asthma in aluminium potroom workers, is reviewed and discussed, mainly on the basis of own investigations. The occurrence of work-related asthma has been shown to be associated with the duration of potroom employment, although the prevalence of asthmatic symptoms is not significantly different from that of the general population. Typical manifestations of occupational asthma are described in potroom workers, and a close relationship between the levels of fluoride exposure and work-related asthmatic symptoms has been observed. The existence of occupational asthma in aluminium potroom workers has been confirmed by characteristic patterns of repeated peak flow measurements, supported by changes in methacholine responsiveness in workers with suspected work-related asthma. However, no immunological test is available to establish the diagnosis. Methacholine challenge appears to be inappropriate for screening aluminium potroom workers in order to detect work-related asthma. Current smoking, but not self-reported allergy, is a risk factor for potroom asthma. A family history of asthma and previous occupational exposure may have some effect on the risk of developing symptoms.The prognosis of potroom asthma seems to depend on early replacement to unexposed work. The pathogenetic mechanisms are unknown, although some studies indirectly imply a hypersensitivity reaction.Future studies involving specific bronchial challenge appear to be necessary to find the causal agent(s) of aluminium potroom asthma.

No abstract

Lung cancer surgery appears to be a relatively safe procedure even in the elderly. There is a high postoperative mortality after bilobectomy and pneumonectomy. However, when old people survive the postoperative period the long term prognosis seems favorable.

In this population-based, unselected series, the postoperative mortality was relatively high, and increased markedly in patients older than 70 years. Pneumonectomy in patients older than 70 years should only be performed when heart-lung function is found to be acceptable following full pulmonary function testing and thorough preoperative assessment of cardiovascular risk factors.