Surgical management of lung metastases

Data from 93 patients undergoing resection of lung metastases are examined. Survival at 5 years was 32% and operative mortality 2.1%. Histologically, metastases from carcinoma gave better results than metastases from sarcoma (5-year survival 40% and 0 respectively). The best overall results being obtained in the case of metastases from carcinoma of the testis and larynx (5-year survival 66% and 54% respectively). The free interval was shown to be a good therapeutic index when longer than 1 year (44% survival at 5 years when longer than 1 year, 16% when shorter). Resection of lung metastases is recommended when primary tumor is under control, there are no metastases to other organs, the operative risk is reasonable and no other effective therapeutic procedures are available.