[Resection of solitary pulmonary metastases]

From January 1957 to December 1981 45 patients underwent resections (lob-, bilob-, pneumonectomies) due to solitary metastases of the primary tumour in the lung. Concerning the 3- and 5 years survival rate resp. 41 patients could be followed up. The best results could be obtained in patients with metastases from carcinomata of the uterus, kidney and female breasts with an average survival coming up to 44.3%, 32.3% and 32.2%. (22% of our patients had a survival time of more than 5 years, 29% of more than 3 years). In our opinion the resection of solitary pulmonary metastases can be regarded as a surgical method which allows satisfactory results to be obtained.