Surgical excision of pulmonary metastases from primary testicular cancer--case reports

In disseminated nonseminomatous testicular cancer, chemotherapy is the first choice because this treatment can be curative. To illustrate the particular indications for surgical excision of pulmonary metastases from primary nonseminomatous testicular cancer three patients are presented who were operated on during the past two years. Surgery is recommended to ascertain the histologic nature of remaining metastases after chemotherapy, when there is no further response to chemotherapy or a partial response only. Histologic findings range from necrotic pulmonary lesions to benign transformation or viable tumor. These results should guide further therapy, particularly to decide whether chemotherapy should be continued or changed.