Results of Pulmonary Resection: Sarcoma and Germ Cell Tumors

Pulmonary metastasis occurs in as many as 88% and 80% of stage IV patients with sarcoma and germ cell tumors, respectively. Pulmonary metastatectomy may be the only means of rendering a patient disease free. Sublobar resection (wedge or segmentectomy), lobectomy, and pneumonectomy achieve complete resection. Bilateral disease can be resected via staged thoracoscopy/thoracotomy, median sternotomy, or clamshell thoracotomy. Multiple resections and re-resections have resulted in improved survival. Five-year survival rates as high as 35% to 52% for sarcoma and 80% for germ cell tumor can be realized.