The prognostic factor of the surgically treated metastatic lung cancer

Surgical treatment for metastatic lung tumor has also been aggressively performed to treat multiple or bilateral lesions recently. However, in some patients, metastatic pulmonary foci have recurred after surgery for metastatic lung tumor. These foci could not be controlled even after performing thoracotomy several times in some patients. In this study, we examined prognostic factors in patients undergoing surgery for metastatic lung tumor with respect to early relapse of metastatic pulmonary foci after surgery, and discussed strategies for improving long-term results. This study included 120 patients who underwent surgery for metastatic lung tumor in our department between November 1975 and November 1997. Overall, the 5-year survival rate was 37.1%. When results were compared among groups, there were no significant differences related to age, gender, primary organ, DFI, number of metastatic foci or surgical technique. However, the prognosis was significantly poorer in patients with recurrent metastatic pulmonary foci after surgery. Especially in patients with early relapse within 6 months after resection of the lung, the prognosis was markedly poor. Early relapse was an important factor involved in unfavorable surgical outcomes. The mechanism involved in the early relapse of metastatic pulmonary foci after surgery for metastatic lung tumor may be associated with the presence of several micrometastases that could not be recognized during surgery for metastatic lung tumor, that is, dormancy, in the lung. Surgical outcomes in patients with metastatic lung tumor will be improved if a method of controlling this increase in dormant metastases is established.