Bronchogenic carcinoma with a brain metastasis: a continuing challenge

Twenty-three patients with carcinoma of the lung and a brain metastasis had both the primary and secondary tumors surgically removed (combined operation). Results revealed that 52% of the patients were unimproved and died during the first 6 months. Operation improved short-term survival in 26%. Five patients (22%) lived longer than 2 years, and 3 of them (13%) are alive and well 10 or more years following operation.