[Lung metastases]

Neither functionally not metabolically do pulmonary metastases represent an isolated problem of the respiratory organs. Rather, they are a problem of the organism as a whole, and represent the "home straight" that is common to almost all malignant diseases. This "home straight" has not yet been fully understood from the pathophysiological point of view, is not always readily accessible to diagnostic evaluation, and its response to treatment is disappointing. The key to successful therapy in the future will, presumably, be seen not so much in the eradication of existing metastases, as in the avoidance of their manifestation. Tangible results--that is, clinically useful results--are, as yet, not realiable.