Objective  To investigate the efficacy of epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) in adenosquamous carcinoma (ASC) of the lung after resection.

  Methods  Clinical data of patients suffering from ASC and receiving EGFR-TKI treatment at one institution between January 2006 and December 2014 were retrospectively reviewed.

  Results  A total of 27 EGFR mutation-positive patients with ASC subjected to EGFR-TKI therapy were enrolled in this study. EGFR mutations included deletion in exon 19 in 15 cases and point mutation at codon 858 in exon 21 in 12 cases. Of the 27 ASC patients who received EGFR-TKI treatment, 9 exhibited a partial response and 11 manifested a stable disease, and these patients accounted for a disease control rate of 74.1% (20/27). The median overall survival (OS), median progression-free survival, and median relapse OS of the EGFR mutation-positive patients who underwent TKI therapy were 39 months 95% confidence interval (CI)=25.6-52.4, 15 months (95% CI=12.9-17.1), and 19 months (95% CI=0.9-37.1), respectively. The 3-and 5-year survival rates of these patients after operation were 51.9% and 15.3%, respectively.

  Conclusion  The survival of EGFR mutation-positive ASC patients treated with EGFR-TKIs was satisfactory. EGFR testing was recommended for ASCs and EGFR-TKI treatment was suitable for ASCs with EGFR-sensitizing mutation.