[Cryosurgery of lung metastases (author's transl)]

Cryosurgery achieves a local tumor destruction and at least in many experimental models it also produces an antitumor immunity. Cryosurgery was therefore applied to 15 patients with multiple lung metastases. In 2 cases a good palliation with a temporary standstill of tumor growth and in 3 cases of positive effect with a decrease and disappearance of metastases was noted. In two of these cases metastases of the contralateral lung also decreased or varnished. This can be explained by an immune mechanism. Big tumors and fibrosarcomas are not suited for cryosurgery, whereas hypernephroid renal carcinomas and malignant teratomas give more promising results.