Disparities in Pulmonary Metastasectomy

Pulmonary metastasectomy can significantly improve survival in carefully selected patients with metastatic disease, but disparities in access exist based on race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and insurance coverage. Factors influencing the likelihood of undergoing the procedure include age, hospital characteristics, and socioeconomic conditions. Implicit biases among health care providers and systemic barriers contribute to these disparities. To address these issues, it is crucial to increase awareness of biases, establish standardized criteria for surgical selection, and improve access to specialized cancer treatment centers. Efforts to provide equitable treatment opportunities are essential for enhancing outcomes in thoracic surgical care.