Pulmonary resection for metastases from gynecologic cancers: Massachusetts General Hospital experience, 1943-1982

Fifteen patients with pulmonary metastases from gynecologic cancers have been evaluated and treated surgically at the Massachusetts General Hospital from 1943 to 1982. These women have had primary tumors involving the cervix (6), endometrium (3), and ovary (2) as well as uterine sarcomas (2) and choriocarcinomas (2). Two-year Kaplan-Meier survival for this group was 71%; the corresponding survival at 5 years was 36%. No hospital mortality was encountered. Patients with solitary lesions of less than 4 cm diameter appeared to have the most favorable prognosis in the group. A prolonged time to initial recurrence (latent period) of greater than 36 months was associated with improved survival and there was a 60% survival among patients with latent periods of 60 months or more. An aggressive approach to resection of pulmonary metastases in selected patients provides gratifying palliation for the majority of women and long-term cure in a significant minority.