Surgical treatment of lung metastasis: experience with 108 cases

In this study the Author's analyze their experience (between September 1973 and December 2002) with 108 pulmonary resections for metastatic tumors to the lungs to evaluate prognostic factors and the impact on survival of extended metastasectomy. Overall mortality and major morbidity were 1.85% and 2.78%. The actuarial survivals at 5 and 10 years were respectively 46.6% and 39.9%. The best mean survivals are observed in patients with metastases from breast, colorectal, thyroid and urinary tract carcinomas, in cases with disease free interval > 12 months and in the patients who underwent sequentially surgery and chemotherapy. Patients with pulmonary metastases also potentially benefit from iterative pulmonary resection.