Methods: Between January 2005 and December 2016, a total of 80 patients with papillary predominant subtype lung adenocarcinoma (70 males, 10 females; mean age 60.7 years; range, 42 to 79 years) operated in our clinic were included in the study. These patients were compared with those having lepidic, acinar, and mucinous subtypes. Overall and five-year survival rates were evaluated.

Results: Five-year survival was 40.5% in papillary predominant histological subtype, while this rate was 70.9%, 59.0%, and 66.6% in lepidic, acinar, and mucinous subtypes, respectively. Papillary subtype showed significantly poor survival compared to lepidic (p=0.002), acinar (p=0.008), and mucinous subtypes (p=0.048). In Stage 1 disease, it was more evident (papillary, 47.5%, lepidic 86.9% [p=0.001], acinar 69.3% [p=0.040], and mucinous 90.0% [p=0.050]).

Conclusion: Our study results suggest that papillary predominant subtype predicts poor survival in lung adenocarcinoma and these cases may be candidates for adjuvant treatment modalities even in the earlier stages of disease.